School Board Member: Limit School to "Educable" Students

See this article, from the Baraboo (Wisc.) News Republic. It begins:

New Baraboo School Board member Kevin Bartol stirred up some controversy at his second meeting Monday night when he suggested district policy be amended so that only teachable students be enrolled in Baraboo's public schools.

"There are some people in this country that cannot be educated," Bartol said to the board. "They may have their eyes open, but there's no one awake upstairs."

His comments Monday came as part of the board's review of district policies, including one for "Programs for Students with Disabilities." The first sentence of that policy reads that the board "shall provide a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for students with disabilities who reside within the district."

Bartol proposed the board add a modifier before the word student, such as "educable," so that if a child who "can't be taught" wants to enter or stay in a Baraboo public school the district is not required to serve him or her.

"Every child can be taught," said Director of Special Ed Gwynne Peterson said, who added the district is under federal obligation —as well as moral and ethical — to teach every student.

"I don't think that's true," Bartol said. "What if you teach them for two or three years and they haven't learned anything?"

High School Principal Machell Schwarz responded, "Then we work with them and try everything we possibly can." Bartol requested the board look into the legalities of modifying the disability policy

Wow.