What I would say……but is not the place of a public school to say
In the weeks since the targeted attacks against Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, numerous members of my community have asked, even demanded, that our public school put out a message in support of Israel and our Jewish students and families. Instead, the message we sent decried the horrors we have seen, declared our support for all of our students, and reminded parents of their critical and primary role.
As the only Jew on our Board of Education, I was asked what I thought our statement should be. It would come as no surprise that I have very strong opinions on this topic. I suspect, however, that it would indeed be a surprise to some that the statement from the superintendent of our public school (copied at the end of this piece) is exactly what I believe it should be. And my reason is exactly the same as the reason our public school should not take sides, post stickers, or put out ANY statement in support of ANY group or cause because it simply not our role to do so. A public primary and secondary school, paid for by every taxpayer in our nation, state, and district, must serve all students and it cannot do that effectively if school personnel are taking sides on current political, cultural, or religious matters.
I might think differently if I served on the board of a private Jewish school — or any private school for that matter. In that case, I would want our statement to say that there are not two legitimate sides in the case of the worst mass murder of Jews — simply because they are Jews — since The Holocaust. I would be clear there is no moral equivalence to the wanton barbarism of Hamas and the defensive response from Israel. I would explain that Hamas is not “freedom fighters”; they are monsters as evil as Hitler’s SS.
But we are not a private Jewish school; we are a pluralistic public school. Neither my beliefs, nor those of any of the school’s employees, however well-founded we might believe them to be, should be perceived as coming from the school overall. Such positions, if they are to be made at all, should only come from the vote of a majority of the elected Board of Education because they are the only ones directly accountable to the People. Even then, the risk of taking such positions is to compromise a public school’s primary role, which is to educate children — all children — in foundational knowledge of language, history, science, music and the arts, and physical and mental health. It is not to presume we know better than parents in matters of morality, religion, culture, or even war.
We should support ALL students by assuring their behaviors AT SCHOOL are consistent with our Code of Conduct and our values of Kindness, Dignity, and Respect. Jewish students must be assured they will be as safe at school as their non-Jewish classmates. That doesn’t mean singling them out for special care because they are Jewish any more than it means singling out Muslim students for special suspicion because they are Muslim.
Our statement implored parents to remember their critical role in guiding their children because the choices parents make at home show up in their children’s behaviors at school. It is well beyond the school’s role, either in rejection or support, to judge any parent’s or family’s religious, social, or cultural beliefs, however much some may want to do so. It is, however, well within our role to assure student behaviors at school or in school-sponsored activities adhere to our Code of Conduct and Values as approved by the elected Board of Education.
I have to admit that I gave a moment’s thought to a stronger statement. Since our school has previously taken sides on any number of culture war issues, why shouldn’t we do it for Jews engaged in an actual war for their very survival? But I have been nothing but consistent that such choices are beyond the role of a public school and belong squarely to parents and families.
It is just as wrong for school personnel to ask students to wear purple in support of one group of students as it would be for me to ask students to wear blue and white in support of Jewish students. Absent such clarity, there is no limiting principle that would chasten any of us from imposing our will on others. If students wish to organize their classmates in such things — without prompting from district employees — they may do so consistent with the policies and guidelines governing such activities.
Perhaps, just perhaps, if we stay in our lane, focus on academics, the arts, and sports, rather than usurping the role of parents and choosing sides on any of the conflicts around us we can make our school a respite from them.
As a public school in the city of New Albany, State of Ohio, and the United States of America, the ONLY flags we should fly are the American, Ohio, and New Albany Eagles.
****************************************************************************
Statement by the Superintendent emailed to all district families and staff.
October 16, 2023
The recent violence in the Middle East is horrific. Our students are internalizing, questioning, or expressing their voices to try to make sense of these events in developmentally appropriate ways. We support them at school via their teachers, administrators, school counselors, prevention clinicians, specialists and support staff while partnering with their families.
In accordance with Board of Education Policy, the District recognizes and values parents and guardians as children's first teachers and decision-makers in education and respects the parents’ and guardians’ primary responsibility and authority for guiding, nurturing, and supervising the social, emotional, and educational development of their children.
To help ensure all students feel safe, supported and connected at school, we need your help to proactively engage in age appropriate conversations at home with your child(ren) regarding:
• The events that are occurring in our society today to help students process their questions and emotions;
• The expectation to act and speak with kindness, dignity and respect;
• The expectation that students will adhere to the Student Code of Conduct and refrain from any/all culturally insensitive, demeaning, or derogatory comments, including anti-semitism, will not be tolerated at school;
• The acceptable use of technology and social media;
• The ability to seek out any trusted adult at school to “See Something, Say Something” to keep everyone safe and supported; and
• The responsibility to own their “R” (Response) when any “E” (Event) occurs to contribute to a positive “O” (Outcome).
Our school district is extremely fortunate to have active and engaged parents and community members that value education and truly want the best for nearly 5,100 students on our school campus daily. Please do not hesitate to contact any administrator or school counselor if your child needs support. Thank you for your help and your partnership.
Best,
Michael L. Sawyers
Superintendent