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Essex and Race Discussions |
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Back in August of 2020, community member Heather Sheppard spoke out against the Black Lives Matter flag flying at the Essex School. |
Heather Sheppard said BLM is counterproductive to racial justice and progress because it fails to address chronic problems of gang violence, fatherlessness, poor schools, and economic opportunity – and in some ways actually makes these problems worse. For the full article click here.
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THE BLM flag in Essex was again in the news in September 2021. After board meeting delays a heated board meeting followed. Public comments from students and community members sometimes stirred emotional responses about whether to keep the BLM flag flying. Students revered it as a symbol of welcome to the BIPOC community. Adults in the room felt it represented defunding police, violence in communities, and marxist founders. The board voted 6-3 in favor of keeping the flag flying. Two days later the BLM flag was stolen from Hiawatha Elementary school, part of the Essex District, and the US flag was found crumpled on the ground.
Elizabeth Cady, mother of two children, substituted at Essex Elementary ran for position on the Essex Westford School District Board, not because I have political aspirations, but because I have witnessed firsthand that our current board's priorities are not what I hope for my children, or any children, to receive out of public education. For more click here
April 12, Liz won her race. and vowed to explore budgetary concerns with the board as a reason she pursued election. A surplus of $4.5 million is part of the $80 million 2022 fiscal year budget, school choice, and supports equality and opposes the Black Lives Matter organization. For more click here
April 12, Liz won her race. and vowed to explore budgetary concerns with the board as a reason she pursued election. A surplus of $4.5 million is part of the $80 million 2022 fiscal year budget, school choice, and supports equality and opposes the Black Lives Matter organization. For more click here
May 4, Erin Maguire, the district Director of Equity and Inclusion, said at the school board meeting in response to Liz's inquiries, “I do think that Critical Race Theory is an important aspect of the academic construct, in order to fully achieve equity in the school, it has to be decided, that everyone accepts, that the United States is systemically racist?”
May 6: Liz was brought up on conflict of interest charges by Laura Taylor and Emily Franz The complaint seems to suggest that having a difference of opinion on board policy represents a ‘conflict of interest. For more click here
May 6: Liz was brought up on conflict of interest charges by Laura Taylor and Emily Franz The complaint seems to suggest that having a difference of opinion on board policy represents a ‘conflict of interest. For more click here
Directly from this year's budget presentation, it appears that EWSD will spend over $1-million on Critical Race Theory in our schools:
Courageous Conversations Whole System Plan - $30,000
Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy Training All Teachers - $30,000
Material Purchasing - $10,000
Stipends for Affinity Group Feedback and Focus Forums - $10,000
Multicultural Helpdesk - $40,000
Other Professional Development - $20,000
Equity Coach at EHS - $100,000
Equity Consultation Services - $20,000
SEL Coaches - $700,000
Purchase of SEL Curriculum - $82,000
click here
Courageous Conversations Whole System Plan - $30,000
Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy Training All Teachers - $30,000
Material Purchasing - $10,000
Stipends for Affinity Group Feedback and Focus Forums - $10,000
Multicultural Helpdesk - $40,000
Other Professional Development - $20,000
Equity Coach at EHS - $100,000
Equity Consultation Services - $20,000
SEL Coaches - $700,000
Purchase of SEL Curriculum - $82,000
click here
Vermont Middle and High School students often begin their day with an advisory period that revolves around a screen of announcements, short activities, and discussion questions, that is moderated by their advisory teacher. These were used in May '21 in Essex.
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Time Stamps: .25 Ellie Martin-host, 2:35 Liz Cady, bd. member, parent; 14:27 HS Senior Alex Katsnelson 20:32 Senator Russ Ingalls; 32:30 QA
More than 100 concerned citizens – a local expression of what conservative commentator Dan Bongino calls “The Great Parent Revolution” – gathered to hear opponents of Critical Race |
Critical Race Theory in the Essex School District was the topic at the Essex Grange Hall Friday night, May 28. An Essex student, a mom elected to the school board, and a state senator all spoke about the introduction of an ideology they say contributes to rather than reduces racial animosity.
The overflow crowd – mostly Essex parents – learned of two more looming developments in the implementation of CRT in Essex: A new school district "Equity Policy" will be reviewed by the school board Tuesday, June 1, at a Zoom meeting open to the public, registration necessary; For more of the story go to vermontdailychronicle.com/2021/05/29/great-parent-revolution-in-essex-hears-opponents-of-critical-race-theory/ |
This is a link to the Essex School Board meeting Jun 15. https://www.mediafactory.org/ewsd?modal=45,episode,101133 The first half hour were 1 min or less comments from the public regarding their equity program. They are both pro and con.
Starting at 1:06 the board reviews the many changes that have occurred between the 2nd and 3rd reading, in red including as well as blue print that very few had seen since the 3rd reading was mailed to the board, so they were first seeing it at the board meeting. There is a long intro that leads into Erin McGuire's very detailed overview 1:12 while sharing the document on the camera. At 1:25 The board discussed the document, and then before the vote, Starting at 2:33 Brendan Kinney gave a formally prepared comment and other board members chimed in with less formal comment before the 8-1 vote.
SaveEWSD <[email protected]> is orchestrating follow-up actions.
Starting at 1:06 the board reviews the many changes that have occurred between the 2nd and 3rd reading, in red including as well as blue print that very few had seen since the 3rd reading was mailed to the board, so they were first seeing it at the board meeting. There is a long intro that leads into Erin McGuire's very detailed overview 1:12 while sharing the document on the camera. At 1:25 The board discussed the document, and then before the vote, Starting at 2:33 Brendan Kinney gave a formally prepared comment and other board members chimed in with less formal comment before the 8-1 vote.
SaveEWSD <[email protected]> is orchestrating follow-up actions.
To learn about Advocates for Vermont - click here