Purple for Parents withdraws endorsement of candidate for Franklin School Board

Purple for Parents of Indiana withdrew its endorsement of a Franklin Board of Education candidate who openly opposed the group’s stance on social-emotional learning (SEL).

The group announced on Tuesday in a Facebook post that it was withdrawing its endorsement of candidate Matt Cree. The Cree is challenging incumbent Becky Nelson for a seat on Union Township’s board of directors.

“Unfortunately, after much discussion and clear oversight, we were unable to reach agreement on SEL with Franklin Community School Board candidate Matt Cree and are withdrawing our endorsement,” the post read. increase.

The Purple for Parents platform seeks to eliminate SEL from Indiana school curricula. Indiana chapter president Rhonda Miller expressed disdain at a forum in Whiteland a year ago, calling it an attempt to “rewire and brainwash children.” The group also claims, without evidence, that SEL is intertwined with college-level theories of racism in society (Critical Race Theory, or CRT).

Following the publication of an article in the Daily Journal examining support for local candidates from Purple for Parents Indiana, Cree met with representatives of the group on October 20 and, at their request, , discussed what he said in the article. They asked Cree to retract a statement he made to the Daily Journal in support of SEL, he said.

He said he was then presented with “evidence” that he felt was not factually based. It came in the form of old blog posts, his expired web links, Franklin his community his school lesson plans claiming to look like fake printouts of his guidelines.

“They presented me with what they called evidence that SEL was being manipulated to advance a Marxist and communist agenda in schools. I asked,” Cree said. … Whatever evidence they showed me, I reviewed it. I am a lawyer and trained to evaluate cases based on the facts and evidence presented. ”

Cree has refused to retract his earlier remarks. Cree later said in a public Facebook post on Friday that if the group presented hard evidence that his SEL was harmful to students, he would advocate its removal.

“I support my position that SEL as it is currently being implemented is beneficial for students,” he said in the post. “It gives you the tools you need to be a good citizen and develop critical thinking skills.”

Some may choose not to vote for him based on Purple for Parents of Indiana’s endorsement, but Cree said it would affect his chances in the election much less. I said I don’t think so.

“I’m sure there are certain demographics that don’t make everyone very happy,” Cree said. .”

Nelson also supports SEL, a concept that is an integral part of Indiana’s curriculum. In the Daily Journal’s candidate poll, Nelson describes his SEL: Parents, families, schools and communities work together to teach life skills to meet everyday challenges. ”