Parents oppose wording on Alpine School District materials

AMERICAN FORK — Democracy has become a dirty word in Utah County.

A standing-room only crowd of angry parents filed into the Alpine School District offices Tuesday night to complain to the school board about the district's agenda.

Parents have been upset over an essay titled "America: Republic or Democracy" linked on the district's Web site a month ago. Although it was removed immediately and district officials said it was put up accidentally, parents labeled it liberal and offensive.

A mural at the district offices with the wording "Enculturating the Young in a Social and Political Democracy" now is drawing criticism, as well as the mission statement: "Educating all students to ensure the future of our democracy."

"The district is pushing a dangerous, progressive agenda," said Susan Schnell, a Highland parent. "I will not sit idly by as my children and other children of this district are taught false statements about this country."

Socialism is the next step, Schnell said, adding that the district is not teaching the ideals of America's Founding Fathers.

"We moved from California to Utah a year and a half ago because we hoped this was a more religious, conservative environment to raise my children in," said Schnell, who spoke on behalf of a group of parents.

Of particular concern to parents are the semantics in Alpine's literature. Parents are upset that "democracy" is used instead of "republic," and that "enculturating" has morphed into a radical definition.

"We recognize that this phrase is not user friendly, and since the word meanings have changed over time, we need to revisit this," board Chairwoman Debbie Taylor said in a prepared statement. "The use of the word democracy underscores the type of republic found in the United States."

The board said the link was a "serious misunderstanding." Although the wording on the mural and mission statement has been in place for years, no one opposed it until after the link was put on the site.

Cherilyn Eagar, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, had planned a rally before the meeting. Eager was scheduled to meet with Alpine's superintendent beforehand but did not host the rally.

"I suspect that if parents take a deeper look, they will discover more, that the entire curriculum is infused with environmentalism, globalism and Leftist ideology," Eagar said in a news release.

e-mail: astowell@desnews.com