McLean County Times

Bloomington District 87 Superintendent Barry Reilly says critical race theory (CRT) is not part of the school’s curriculum for its fall reopening.

“I get that these issues are hot topics right now in the community and we hear them, but we need to be able to come together and talk about them in a more civil manner,” Reilly told WGLT.org. “Critical race theory is not in the state learning standards so it is not in our curriculum. When it comes to critical race theory that is something I think people really need to educate themselves about because I think that there are some misconceptions.”

Such planning was made public during a recent District 87 board meeting, which ultimately featured more than two hours of public comment.

A crowd of more than 50 people turned out for the meeting, some holding signs that read “Stop indoctrination of our children” and “No critical race theory.” Still others were dressed in "Black Lives Matter" attire.

All across the state and much of the country the issue of CRT instruction has become a hot-button issue with critics of the system arguing it promotes divisiveness and leads to segregation.

Several Bloomington High School students expressed their support for the district’s policies and curriculum as it relates to CRT.