Janet Pritchett, President of the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board, read a statement at the Wednesday meeting about the recent controversy over a statement by Superintendent Allen Bourff to the staff about Black Lives Matter. Pritchett told LarryInFishers 5 board members signed-on to her statement. She would not specify which board members were on part of her statement. Board member Suzanne Thomas read her own separate statement during the meeting.
In her statement, board president Pritchett said the 5 board members are committed to uniting, not causing further division within the school district community.
“The letter issued by our administration Monday caused harm,” said Pritchett. “While we are deeply sorry, we know that our students, teachers, and community deserve more than an apology. We must commit work to repair relationships, restore trust, and prevent this hurt in the future.”
The message to teachers Monday from Superintendent Bourff said to treat Black Lives Matter as a political, rather than a social movement. After criticism from the community, Dr. Bourff later apologized and issued a new statement Tuesday.
Suzanne Thomas says she wanted to be on board with the other board members in the statement read by President Pritchett, and she values black lives, but has an issue with the Black Lives Matter organization.
“There is also an organization with the same three words (Black Lives Matter) that encourages negativity, ” Thomas said. “Because of this, I cannot support the statement that the board had made today.”
Jaimie Cairns, a founder of the HSEqual organization, tried to discuss the racial side of the virtual vs. in-person learning issue which was on the board agenda, because the board has a policy of only allowing public comment regarding items on the published board agenda. Race issues were discussed, but not listed on the agenda. The board stopped her during her comments when it appeared to deal more with racial issues than the school operation plans. Ms. Cairns shared her statement with LarryInFishers.
“While I know Dr. Bourff’s letter to the teachers from Monday isn’t on the agenda today, our students well being should be on the agenda every meeting,” Cairn’s statement says. “I implore you to ask why our superintendent sent out a letter ENTIRELY FOCUSED ON EQUITY without vetting it with our Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer.”
Cairns pointed out the disparities between in-person and virtual learning, saying students of color in the district are generally choosing virtual.
“By continuing to think of virtual students as an afterthought, we are harming our students of color,” according to Cairns. “I implore you to not only say BLACK LIVES MATTER but also to take action to show you mean it.”
Suzanne Thomas reads her own statement on Black Lives Matter