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Xenia Community City Schools
Tip received 10-24-24: CRT IN XENIA
Link:
Tip received 10-15-24 Newsela being used as a family resource 6th to 8th.
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Tip received 10/22/24:
Subject: Fwd: Jeremy Cox Email
A fellow school board member needs your help. This scathing, emotional, unprofessional, and insubordinate letter was sent out to all district personnel and community members, parents by the Xenia Superintendent. This is blatent bullying and is factually untrue statements. Jeremy is being told he is asking too many questions????? At least he is trying to get the information and not being a bobblehead. He needs your support. Please go to this board meeting to support Jeremy Cox. speak if possible.Xenia Community School Board Meeting Date: October 14th, 2024 - Time: 6:30pm - Location: 819 Colorado Dr. Xenia Ohio 45385. Please come speak in favor of Xenia Community School Board Member Jeremy Cox. If you plan to speak, please fill out a speaking card and give it to the Xenia SD Treasurer Tom Massie who sits to the left of the board table. Please get there early if you plan to speak. (Speaking time is 5 minutes per person). Letter to the XCS Community
Dear Xenia Families,
Over the past year, I have had ongoing conversations with one Board Member, Mr. Jeremy Cox, about his concerns that Critical Race Theory is being taught in Xenia Community Schools.
First and foremost, I would like to once again state that Xenia Community Schools solely utilizes curriculum that is age appropriate and is in alignment with Ohio State Standards, and that Critical Race Theory is not taught in our classrooms. To be entirely clear, Critical Race Theory is not being taught now, and has not been taught in the past.
Given his ongoing and persistent inquiry around this issue over many months, including his questions about the professionalism and integrity of our teaching staff, I understand that Mr. Cox is not convinced of the truth of that statement. This is in spite of the fact that there have been no student or parent complaints that CRT is being taught in our schools, or any evidence whatsoever that this is the case. It is also regardless of the fact that we successfully completed a curriculum audit with a respected company earlier this year.
In addition, the district has provided Mr. Cox with access to every textbook and digital resource, along with thousands of curriculum documents used in our classrooms for his review. We have answered numerous questions about the curriculum through presentations and email requests, offered to have him talk to teachers, provided him with tours through every school and classroom in the district, and offered additional support for him through the Ohio School Boards Association. Quite frankly, at this point, I am at a loss as to what would convince Mr. Cox that CRT is not being taught in Xenia Community Schools or what to do next.
Considering the amount of positive change and momentum we have worked hard to build and maintain, I am saddened by this persistent and unwarranted focus on an issue that is not relevant to our district. This is a distraction that siphons limited time, energy, and valuable resources away from critical areas where we could work to see real change for our students.
As our families are well aware, over the past several years we have focused intensely on moving the district forward, making progress on multiple fronts. We have made very real gains in student learning, as evidenced by improved scores on our most recent Report Card, as well as four of our schools making the 2024 U.S. News & World Report “Best Schools” list. We are working hard to improve our physical buildings and increase our focus on the safety and security of students and staff by checking off some big items on our infrastructure list, such as the completion of Warner Middle School and Phase II of the Doug Adams Stadium Project – both of which are nearing completion this fall. Last, but certainly not least, we are in the process of creating a Portrait of a Graduate with the input of community members, parents, teachers, and staff that will guide us in the creation of a new strategic plan that will help guide us in the years to come.
Unfortunately, this topic has once again come to the forefront. It has been placed on the agenda for the October 14 Board of Education meeting, where Mr. Cox has indicated he intends to submit a proposal for an additional curriculum audit, to be performed by an unvetted vendor.
At that meeting, it is my sincere hope that we will be able to have a forthright and honest discussion about the needs of Xenia students. After a robust discussion of Mr. Cox’s concerns and proposal, I truly hope that our Board of Education will collectively be able to move us past this issue once and for all, so that we can focus our energy and attention on areas of real concern that will benefit our students in the short- and long-term futures.
We are fortunate to live in a community rich with diverse talents, resources, and experiences. Each of us brings unique strengths to the table, whether it’s through mentoring, volunteering, or simply offering words of encouragement. When we collaborate, we create a tapestry of support that not only enriches our students’ educational experiences, but also fosters a sense of belonging and unity.
I urge each of you to consider how you can contribute to this collective mission. Whether it’s by volunteering your time, sharing your expertise, advocating for our schools, or even a daily prayer – every act of kindness and support matters. Go Bucs!
Sincerely, Dr. Gabriel E. Lofton, Superintendent
A fellow school board member needs your help. This scathing, emotional, unprofessional, and insubordinate letter was sent out to all district personnel and community members, parents by the Xenia Superintendent. This is blatent bullying and is factually untrue statements. Jeremy is being told he is asking too many questions????? At least he is trying to get the information and not being a bobblehead. He needs your support. Please go to this board meeting to support Jeremy Cox. speak if possible.Xenia Community School Board Meeting Date: October 14th, 2024 - Time: 6:30pm - Location: 819 Colorado Dr. Xenia Ohio 45385. Please come speak in favor of Xenia Community School Board Member Jeremy Cox. If you plan to speak, please fill out a speaking card and give it to the Xenia SD Treasurer Tom Massie who sits to the left of the board table. Please get there early if you plan to speak. (Speaking time is 5 minutes per person). Letter to the XCS Community
Dear Xenia Families,
Over the past year, I have had ongoing conversations with one Board Member, Mr. Jeremy Cox, about his concerns that Critical Race Theory is being taught in Xenia Community Schools.
First and foremost, I would like to once again state that Xenia Community Schools solely utilizes curriculum that is age appropriate and is in alignment with Ohio State Standards, and that Critical Race Theory is not taught in our classrooms. To be entirely clear, Critical Race Theory is not being taught now, and has not been taught in the past.
Given his ongoing and persistent inquiry around this issue over many months, including his questions about the professionalism and integrity of our teaching staff, I understand that Mr. Cox is not convinced of the truth of that statement. This is in spite of the fact that there have been no student or parent complaints that CRT is being taught in our schools, or any evidence whatsoever that this is the case. It is also regardless of the fact that we successfully completed a curriculum audit with a respected company earlier this year.
In addition, the district has provided Mr. Cox with access to every textbook and digital resource, along with thousands of curriculum documents used in our classrooms for his review. We have answered numerous questions about the curriculum through presentations and email requests, offered to have him talk to teachers, provided him with tours through every school and classroom in the district, and offered additional support for him through the Ohio School Boards Association. Quite frankly, at this point, I am at a loss as to what would convince Mr. Cox that CRT is not being taught in Xenia Community Schools or what to do next.
Considering the amount of positive change and momentum we have worked hard to build and maintain, I am saddened by this persistent and unwarranted focus on an issue that is not relevant to our district. This is a distraction that siphons limited time, energy, and valuable resources away from critical areas where we could work to see real change for our students.
As our families are well aware, over the past several years we have focused intensely on moving the district forward, making progress on multiple fronts. We have made very real gains in student learning, as evidenced by improved scores on our most recent Report Card, as well as four of our schools making the 2024 U.S. News & World Report “Best Schools” list. We are working hard to improve our physical buildings and increase our focus on the safety and security of students and staff by checking off some big items on our infrastructure list, such as the completion of Warner Middle School and Phase II of the Doug Adams Stadium Project – both of which are nearing completion this fall. Last, but certainly not least, we are in the process of creating a Portrait of a Graduate with the input of community members, parents, teachers, and staff that will guide us in the creation of a new strategic plan that will help guide us in the years to come.
Unfortunately, this topic has once again come to the forefront. It has been placed on the agenda for the October 14 Board of Education meeting, where Mr. Cox has indicated he intends to submit a proposal for an additional curriculum audit, to be performed by an unvetted vendor.
At that meeting, it is my sincere hope that we will be able to have a forthright and honest discussion about the needs of Xenia students. After a robust discussion of Mr. Cox’s concerns and proposal, I truly hope that our Board of Education will collectively be able to move us past this issue once and for all, so that we can focus our energy and attention on areas of real concern that will benefit our students in the short- and long-term futures.
We are fortunate to live in a community rich with diverse talents, resources, and experiences. Each of us brings unique strengths to the table, whether it’s through mentoring, volunteering, or simply offering words of encouragement. When we collaborate, we create a tapestry of support that not only enriches our students’ educational experiences, but also fosters a sense of belonging and unity.
I urge each of you to consider how you can contribute to this collective mission. Whether it’s by volunteering your time, sharing your expertise, advocating for our schools, or even a daily prayer – every act of kindness and support matters. Go Bucs!
Sincerely, Dr. Gabriel E. Lofton, Superintendent
A citizens group has formed and is monitoring and watching for Critical Race Theory.
These are lessons for a 9th grade health class. Xenia uses Edgenuity curriculum.
