Final School Board Meeting of the School Year, Parents Speak Out
Update: June 20, 2021
At June 15th North Yarmouth Select Board meeting, Vanessa Bryant was named to fill the current vacancy on the MSAD 51 School Board, for a 1-year term. This seat has been vacant since early May due to the resignation of Mike Symmons.
This decision comes following June 14th School Board meeting, which had several residents, many from North Yarmouth, share their opposition to the preliminary draft equity policy (ACA) that was referred to Policy Committee just prior to the full Board meeting. Many of the speakers expressed concern on how the content of the policy conflicted with their religious beliefs. Others stated frustrations regarding the perceived process, as well as flaws within the policy elements. Highlighting the difficulty surrounding developing such a policy were comments from community members supporting the policy and the districts steps to align with nationwide efforts to counter racism.
The June 14 MSAD 51 School Board was slated to be the closeout meeting for the 2020-21 school year. The meeting opened with Kevin Desmond presenting a brief history of Flag Day (YouTube recording only captures part). A meeting has been added for June 21 (Virtual) to finalize end of year items and will include executive session regarding teacher contracts, as well as budget actions.
The Board honored departing members Kate Perrin and Margo Harrington. Perrin closes out her 2nd term, while Harrington finishes her 1st term. Fellow members and Superintendent Porter expressed their appreciation for their service to the MSAD 51 community. Both affirmed their dedication to the District and intentions of continued involvement.
The Board confirmed that 2021-22 meeting calendar has been set and would follow previous meeting cycle framework to not conflict with Town Council meetings. Committee reports included an update regarding the School Building Project and plans for two information nights to be scheduled for October. Estimated costs are tentatively set to be available for July meeting.
Porter confirmed distancing and mask requirements were lifted for 2021-22 school year. The District will retain the plan to reduce class size and hire additional teachers for the extra classrooms in portable units. Action Items included certifying the budget validation referendum, approval of Strategic Priorities, extending the current Strategic Plan until June 2023, and approval to hire 3 teachers to 1-year contract. Tyler McGinley was re-elected to Chair and Kevin Desmond to Vice-chair. Resolution to form an ad hoc committee with North Yarmouth Select Board and Cumberland Town Council was approved. Desmond added a specific request for “decorum” with a rebuke of North Yarmouth Selectman, David Reed, for his comments during public comment period that called the current board “bad”.
Public comments to the Board spanned a range of topics from civic requests to classroom work considerations, and included anecdotes celebrating the level of sensitivity and respect teachers have shown to families.
The complexity of work related to equity was highlighted by the public comments both in opposition and support of the draft policy. The ACA policy was submitted to the Policy Committee just prior to the June 14 Board meeting. Confusion about the process and the stage of policy development prompted North Yarmouth resident, Ally Ford, to rally residents to attend the meeting to voice opinions regarding the draft ACA. Ford previously expressed her frustration at the limited access to Equity Leadership Steering Committee (ELSC) and transparency of the policy development. The ELSC is the 15-member advisory group tasked to draft an equity policy. Clarification about membership qualifications and application process has not been confirmed. Both Ford and recently elected School Board member, Jason Record, have expressed their desire to join the ELSC. They contend the committee is not representative of all views in the District and is one-dimensional. McGinley confirmed by email, regarding committee membership, "We plan to discuss this again at our next meeting in June."
Confounding the perception of lack of transparency was the decision to switch the June 14 Policy Committee meeting to live-stream four hours prior to meeting due to demand for access, but a technical issue resulted in all but one of the requesters not being able to join. Recording of meeting is not available.
The district will be challenged to implement a policy whose application and enforcement will be dependent on something entirely subjective – perception. How to “embrace all unique and individual differences” of a broad spectrum of beliefs is unclear. Protecting “all voices” in regards to implicit bias and inclusion will be tricky work, because the continuum includes seemingly incompatible viewpoints.
Proponents see the draft policy as a necessary step towards aligning the educational environment with current mainstream thinking and to become more proactive in addressing racism and supporting marginalized groups.
Critics don’t see the need, citing evidence of a well-established climate of respect and sensitivity within schools, and some parents further see the language of the policy as violating religious freedoms with requirements for teaching on issues such as LBGQT+.
Despite differences, the tone of the evening was respectful, civil and a distinct contrast to the characterization that has been pushed in public forums, that opposition to the District's equity work is linked to one source. Many of the speakers had not met before Monday.
Nick Begin acknowledged that the ACA is a draft, but urged the Board to build community outreach into the process that goes beyond surveys and social media. Face-to-face discussions are necessary. The positive quality of the conversational exchanges during the Public Comment hinted that this method is crucial.
The issue is complex and cannot be simplified into “US” vs “THEM” categories. Even where residents agreed, there are differences as to why, on both sides. Authoring a policy that encompasses the infinite possibilities of individual perceptions will be difficult. The Board confirmed that this is only a draft, and is the first step in what they expected to be a lengthy process.
Note: Updated to correct quote from McGinley regarding reviewing ELSC membership.