Thoughts on the January 10 School Board Meeting: through the looking glass.

When you listen carefully to the arguments made on both sides, you see that they are inside-out-and-backwards reflections of each other.

Here’s a brief point-by-point summary.

So how in the world do we determine which is right? And how do we convince anyone on the other side to come around? 

Two main points:

1. The points on the left come from local observation. They speak to our CB as we know it today, based on what we have seen.  How do we know this? Most parents are delighted with their kids’ teachers. There are few complaints about teacher “advocacy” even in these polarized times. Our students are showing up at meetings and speaking to their own marginalization. The ACLU represents a multitude of religious freedom issues (see here and here) and they responded to complaints from our community. As the attacks on the PSEA have intensified, we have seen a drop-off in applications to CB and many staff shortages, outpacing neighboring distrticts. The points on the right come from a national narrative, driven by well-funded astroturf groups.

2. The points on the left point to an inclusive educational vision, where ALL students are equally welcome. The points on the right point to a zero-sum view, where the rights of some would trample the rights of others. On the left: let us join together to create optimal schools for all our kids. On the right, let us be sure that no contrary (to our values) views are taking over and that our kids will not lose out to other kids.

Consider this: https://www.aclu.org/issues/religious-liberty

and this:  https://www.aclu.org/court-cases?issue=religious-liberty

So which is it: 

A holistic, open, curious, inclusive and LOCAL set of values?

OR

A narrow, closed, exclusive, zero-sum NATIONAL set of fears?

Watch this for an accurate depiction of the 2 views: Click here.

So much for public comment. Now for the board itself.

Some questions we would like to ask our 6:

• When did it become outrageous for school board members to attend democratic rallies? It appears that Mrs. Dell’Angelo’s presence at the January 6 memorial struck her colleagues as way out of bounds.

• How is it all right for school board members to attack one another at meetings, at some length, quoting passages from articles they had written to prove what point? Is this accepted practice now? I can imagine that some of our 6 might not want to hear a public reading of some of their social media posts.

• How can anyone conclude that ugly name-calling comes only from one side in this difficult conflict?

• If you were bullied as a child, would that not lead you to want to prevent other children from the same suffering?

Note: We assert with all sincerity that it is NEVER fair, reasonable, justifiable, or productive to mock anyone’s disability in any way under any circumstances.

Note: We suggest that telling someone, in public, that you prayed for them to see how wrong they are and what damage you believe they’re doing is condescending and self-righteous.

Above the line: open, curious, and committed to learning.

Below the line: closed, defensive, and committed to being right.

We will talk more about that in another issue.