SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri lawmaker is demanding that Springfield’s public schools turn over three years’ worth of staff emails and other documents with references to critical race theory.
In response, the school district is demanding a deposit of at least $170,000 to get started.
State Rep. Craig Fishel filed his Sunshine Law request on September 1st.
Fishel is accusing the district of inflating the potential cost and said he may ask the House subpoena the records.
“Parents in my district and across the state have a right to know what is being taught to their children in our public schools, and our school officials have an obligation to be transparent and forthcoming with this information,” said Fishel, R-Springfield. “My request is a simple one and is designed to ensure these controversial topics aren’t being taught in our schools without parents being aware.”
District spokesperson Stephen Hall said Fishel’s request is “extraordinarily broad” and could require thousands of hours of staff time.
Fishel also noted that the district included charges for time to review and redact and argued that the Missouri Supreme Court opinion in Elad Gross v. Michael Parson made it clear these charges are against the law.
