Anoka-Hennepin School Board Remains with Current SEL Materials After Failed Vote

Anoka-Hennepin School Board Remains with Current SEL Materials After Failed Vote

ANDOVER, MN – June 17, 2025 – The Anoka-Hennepin School District, Minnesota's largest school district, will continue to utilize its existing Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum for elementary and middle schools, following a divided vote by the school board that failed to pass a resolution for new materials. The highly anticipated decision, which had been previously tabled, highlights ongoing tensions within the board regarding the content and perceived ideological leanings of SEL programming.

The vote, which took place at the Anoka-Hennepin School Board meeting on Monday, June 16, saw a 3-3 tie, effectively ensuring the district's current SEL contracts remain in place. The contracts for the existing curriculum were set to expire soon, prompting the board to consider options, including retaining current materials, modifying them, or developing an entirely new in-house program.

Social-Emotional Learning, broadly defined by the Minnesota Department of Education, is a process through which individuals "build awareness and skills in managing emotions, setting goals, establishing relationships and making responsible decisions that supports their success in school and in life." While proponents emphasize its role in fostering crucial life skills and addressing student mental health needs, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, some conservative voices have raised concerns that SEL programs may introduce "progressive" or "woke" ideologies into classrooms.

Board Member Matt Audette, a vocal critic of the current SEL programs, has consistently expressed his strong opposition, stating in a previous meeting, "I personally consider what's behind these programs to be poison to our kids." He advocated for the development of an in-house curriculum, arguing it would allow the district to "keep an eye on it" and maintain greater control over content.

However, Superintendent Cory McIntyre had cautioned against developing an entirely new program in-house, citing potential challenges with staffing and the tight timeline before the upcoming school year. Similarly, Board Co-chair Kacy Deschene, who voted to retain the current materials, expressed skepticism about creating a new program, suggesting it was "a solution kind of in search of a problem." Deschene has previously referenced research supporting the academic benefits of SEL and noted overall parent and teacher support for the district's existing programming.

The district currently utilizes two SEL curricula at the elementary and middle school levels, both implemented over the past five years. These programs aim to build self-awareness, manage emotions, and reduce behavioral problems, among other objectives. A 2014 Minnesota law aimed at improving student safety also called on schools to use evidence-based social-emotional learning to prevent and reduce bullying.

The failed vote means that for the foreseeable future, Anoka-Hennepin Schools will continue with the SEL materials that have been in use, reflecting the ongoing, often polarized, debate over curriculum content in public education. The school board's ideological divisions, often split along similar lines on various issues, continue to shape educational policy in Minnesota's largest district.

MinneapoliMedia