Students in Wisconsin may soon get “Black Lives Matter”-inspired curriculum that comes with a $471,073 price tag.
Milwaukee Public Schools added a “Black Lives Matter” line-item request to its 2017 proposed budget. The funding would allow the district to hire three new social studies teachers and tailor lesson plans for a “cultural studies curriculum” along the movement’s ideological bent.
Tony Tagliavia, a spokesman for Milwaukee Public Schools, told Fox News on Monday that no funding will go the official Black Lives Matter organization.
Mr. Tagliavia said the goal of the district was to “[ensure] that culturally responsive teaching practices are in place at all schools, enhancing the district vision for student participation in a wide range of after-school activities,” the network reported. “The focus is on racial disparities and inequities in education that must be addressed.”
Fox also spoke with Kyle Olson, founder of Wisconsin-based watchdog Education Action Group, who said the “Black Lives Matter” request is a warning flag for taxpayers.
“All I’ve seen from ’Black Lives Matter’ is a fomentation of hatred against the police, increased racial division and making excuses for the combination of poor parenting and failed policies from big-city liberal politicians,” Mr. Olson said.
News of the racial curriculum was first reported by the radio station WISN 1130 AM, which sparked outrage among its listeners.
“This makes me sick to my stomach,” Lisa Hallenbeck said on the station’s website May 12. “It’s interesting that all money is going to staff to pay salaries/benefits and ’training.’ No funds are set aside to measure the success or failure of using the $ for their supposed purpose of keeping black men out of prison, but hey, if 3 new social studies teachers can’t do it, who can? What a farce.”
“Sure, let’s endorse a little more racism. How about instead we spend some money on COPS LIVES MATTER! Teach them some respect!” added Ken Spellman.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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