On February 15, 2022, there will be a Primary Election for voters in the New Glarus School District. There are five candidates running for two seats. Those candidates are Bill Oemichen, Alex Bean, Heather Thornton, Ron Roesslein and Jenny Julseth.

Recently the candidates were sent surveys from the Grace Church of New Glarus.

The survey included a number of statements that the candidates were asked to mark Support, Oppose or Undecided.

The statements on the survey were:

Mask mandate requirements for schools

Vaccine mandate requirements for schools

Teaching Critical Race Theory (CRT) in our schools.

Reserving girls’ sports exclusively for biological females.

Separating restrooms, locker rooms and other privacy areas based on biological sex.

Permitting students to form Christian-based clubs on the school premises during non-class time.

Allowing school personnel to refer students to abortion providers.

Allowing school personnel to make healthcare recommendations without parental consent.

Requiring signed permission (opt-in) from a parent before a student may participate in sex education classes or presentations on gender identity theory.

Incorporating the 1619 Project into curriculum that incorrectly claims America was founded in 1619 with the arrival of African slaves and that the Revolutionary War was fought to preserve slavery.

Returning to the tradition of keeping Wednesday nights available for church and family-related activities, including ending sports early, minimizing homework, etc.

Survey participants were also told that they could write explanations for their answers if they’d like, but only the first 25 words would be published. There was no information about where or when the responses would be published.

Grace Church Pastor John Lewis sent a letter to the editor addressing the issue of the survey (see https://www.postmessengerrecorder.com/story/2022/02/03/opinion/lewis-explains-survey-sent-to-school-board-candidates/12081.html ).

When the Grace Church survey was posted on Facebook, it was met with over 200 comments. Some offered suggestions of a survey to be sent to Grace Church and others commented that they didn’t feel the church’s actions were legal under IRS guidelines.

One concerned parent commented later, “I was deeply concerned to see that a local church was conducting a survey of the potential school board candidates.” The parent also noted that the church previously disseminated literature, including a pamphlet titled, “Combatting Critical Race Theory In Your Community: An A to Z Guide On How to Stop Critical Race Theory and Reclaim Your Local School Board” put out by the Citizens for Renewing America.

Other messages supported the church, with one church member saying, “Do not let social media and on-line hyperbole try to dent an organization that does so much to help so many people. We are not a cult, we are people that love GOD, our neighbors, and this community. This church includes members from all ethnicity’s, political affiliations, and socio-economic backgrounds. The congregation opens their arms to all - we host a free Family Fest every year, we support missions all over the world dedicated to helping people. Prior to the pandemic, it was a place many kids in this community came to on a Sunday for a free breakfast and a place to develop a sense of community.”