CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – In response to complaints that teachers were exposed to critical race theory and implicit bias concepts during a Clarksville-Montgomery County School System summer training program, Congressman Mark Green is calling for an explanation.

Green insisted that administrators “are intent on forcing CRT onto students and teachers,” which he said is a violation of state law. CMCSS said the complaints are unfounded.

Rep. Green’s letter

In a letter sent Monday to CMCSS Director of Schools Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder, Green said, “I’m calling for transparency from CMCSS. School started last week – parents deserve to know what kind of learning environment CMCSS is fostering for their children. Tennesseans want their children to learn the fundamentals: reading, writing and arithmetic. They certainly do not want their child to be indoctrinated with pseudo-history and radical social justice theories.”

“The district’s decision to host, and financially support, this conference demonstrates that despite the state of Tennessee’s law prohibiting K-12 schools from teaching divisive CRT ideologies in public schools, many administrators are intent on forcing CRT theories onto students and teachers – a clear violation of state law. I’m concerned by the lack of action CMCSS has taken and its failure to unequivocally renounce this seminar and the racist ideology of CRT,” Green said in the letter shared with Clarksville Now.

Green’s letter detailed some of the complaints that were passed along to him.

“The district’s annual ENGAGE conference in July included a presentation slideshow that taught even everyday language can cause trauma; for example, phrases like ‘make this for your mommy.’ Further, it claimed that even the mere mention of ‘Christmas’ is traumatic, because according to this seminar, being a Christian makes you ‘privileged,’ while being any other religion makes you ‘oppressed,'” his letter said.

CMCSS responds

Anthony Johnson, CMCSS spokesman, told Clarksville Now that the ENGAGE conference was not required and that those who attended selected their own sessions. The conference had a mix of content developed by the district and content developed independently by educators. Educators are not required to attend, and they select their own sessions, he said.

“CMCSS is in compliance with state law and does not require implicit bias training for employees,” Johnson told Clarksville Now.

Principals were trained this summer on the new state laws. “Educators are required to teach the Tennessee State Standards and are not allowed to include prohibited concepts in their instruction,” Johnson said.

However, Johnson said the system is re-evaluating the conference content for next year.

“CMCSS leadership is re-evaluating the process in which educator-created content is included in ENGAGE for next summer to ensure all sessions are aligned with district expectations. There will be an additional level of scrutiny and approval placed before allowing to present in the future to ensure messaging aligns with district expectations.”