To the Editor:

I have been attending Board of Education meetings since last fall after hearing the testimony of many families and students of color about their experiences in the schools, past and present. I have grown increasingly concerned about the treatment of members of the public of color as well as the treatment of proponents of diversity, equity, and inclusion by the Board Chair.

At the April 5th Board of Education Meeting, there was a “clarification” offered by the Board Chair when a member of the public spoke against the striking of a line around the setting of a goal for minority recruitment during the first public participation which related to an agenda item. It was unclear as to why the Chair felt the need to clarify this for the speaker, and if she had the authority to make such a statement.

Newtown’s percentage of teachers of color has remained flat at 3% for over 10 years while its student population of color has increased to 15%. Certainly, the idea of setting a goal around minority recruitment warrants some discussion and consideration. There is no mention of goal setting in the minority recruitment policy, though this was her claim.

Last week, the Board Chair again offered further “clarification” online in response to the letter to the editor titled “Embrace and Continue to Push DEI” — which challenged this same issue about the omission of goal setting around minority recruitment. The Board Chair stated the author’s “assertion is incorrect.”

It was unclear as to whether this Board Chair was speaking on behalf of the Board or as an individual in her statement. But I believe it served as a way to silence another member of the public in speaking out about concerns related to DEI initiatives.

In their Joint Statement on the Importance of a Culturally Responsive Education, the Connecticut State Department of Education, Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, Connecticut Association of Schools, American Federation of Teachers Connecticut, and Connecticut Education Association state the importance of “cultivating authentic relationships with all members of a school community, including culturally diverse families, via two-way reciprocal conversations.”

I believe from her actions the Board Chair does not support this statement.

Our community, and in particular our families and students of color, deserve the opportunity to have their voices heard. More importantly, I believe the Board Chair’s actions appear to be cultivating a climate where it is intimidating to speak about concerns related to DEI initiatives, which is highly problematic.

Sincerely,

Laura Main

Newtown