Officials from the Monroe County Community School Corporation say they'll focus on improving diversity training and curriculum standards after concerns about social studies material sent home with students a few weeks ago.
"As a multi-cultural family, we often have to deal with these things."
Parents voiced outrage and shock about materials used to teach students about slavery. The chapter's headline read "Cotton-pickin' Singing." MCCSC started using the material last school year.
At a public meeting addressing the curriculum Monday, Superintendent Judy DeMuth says no one pointed out the offensive content sooner because teachers often have a lot on their plates.
"When you're teaching, it's a very busy day," DeMuth says. "You get in there, you have the documents in front of you, you're doing what you need to do and there's not a lot of reflective thought that goes into trying to prepare."
Following an extensive review of the curriculum, MCCSC pulled all study materials used in grades K-5 that textbook company Studies Weekly provided.
MCCSC parent Nissy Stetson-Grace says she's angry and hurt by the situation, but she says the incident doesn't stand alone.
"These are things as a black woman, as a multi-cultural family we often have to deal with these things, this is not, you know, the first time."
Stetson-Grace says she thinks someone would have pointed out the offensive curriculum sooner if the schools had a more diverse staff.
"I don't think it's unreasonable to have the expectation that my child have a teacher that looks like her or to have teachers of color," she says. "That's really important."
But DeMuth says MCCSC strategically aims to hire teachers reflective of the students, but she told those attending the meeting that it's a challenge.
"All of you parents and grandparents, please have your children go into education," DeMuth says. "I'm pleading with you. We need educators to be reflective of the children we serve and the only way I know how to do it is parents and grandparents encourage their children to go into teaching."
Dr. Markay Winston, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, says the corporation will focus on implementing more cultural competency training for teachers. She says MCCSC recognizes it needs to do more to make this right.
"Until it changes practices in the classroom with our teachers, it's not getting the kid of impact we need," Winston says.
Winston says MCCSC will use an "equity centered curriculum vision" to adopt new curriculum moving forward.
A group of parents and community members are planning to speak about the curriculum at the MCCSC School Board's regular meeting Tuesday night. Follow reporter Barbara Brosher for live updates from Tuesday night's meeting: @BabsofBtown
