Editor’s Note: Jim Lady is the Upper Adams School Board President
Dear Mr. Lady,
We are a group of community members and Upper Adams parents with current and former Canners (Upper Adams Community Cares) who have been following recent decisions and discussions by school board members. Our goal is to be proactive in ensuring open communication between the families and the school district in the best interest of upholding the goals and integrity of public education.
We are writing out of concern for the shift that seems to be happening in the overreach with some of the board members as well as the motivation behind some of the initiatives these members are taking. Moreover, we are concerned that the needs of every student are potenially being lost in the pursuit of personal political agendas. We are writing because we are not sure if the entire school board or the community at large is aware of the potential fiscal and emotional cost these initiatives may have on our community. We think we need to promote transparency and engage in brave, honest communication so that Upper Adams meets our mission and comes together on behalf of all of our students.
First, we think it is important to acknowledge that in the current political and social climate there seems to be a quick desire to put one another in boxes, and in doing so, we fail to see our human complexity. Because of this, we want to be careful not to assume too much about any board member’s motivations or political agendas. We want to assume good intent. However, there are certain realities that have come to surface with the new board we believe need to be addressed openly. Rather than attacking any individual or the board as a whole, our intention is to seek answers in the hopes of better understanding why so much change is being proposed. Therefore, we would like to pose questions to the board so community members can fully understand the potential ramifications of policy changes. It is our hope that these questions can be answered directly and addressed publicly.
1. At the last meeting, you shared that you would no longer be reading emails on the live streamed meetings. While it is understandable that lengthy emails may take up considerable time, it does seem important to share all community concerns.
How will these letters be shared publicly if not out loud on the recordings?
2. Policies are seemingly being revised and rewritten by a single Board member (Mr. Lustig).
What is motivating the proposed changes and why are we considering policy changes without any record of contention with the policy from community members?
Will there be a vote to consider keeping the current Policy (109.1) as it stands since multiple community members have voiced opposition to its changes?
The second draft of Policy 109.1 was supposed to be shared on April 18, 2024, but to our knowledge has not been made public. When will that draft be shared? How will it be made public?
If the board does not vote to keep the current policy, how will the community and or school stakeholders have a voice in the revised draft?
While other board members have stated that they are not discussing book bans, the initial policy proposals do allow for a shift in decision making power, which ultimately would make censorship possible. The proposed language takes control away from those who are trained to make such decisions to give it to board members through a committee designed to control the votes.
Why give power to board members over parents?
Why change policy when parents already have the right to have their child excused from content they deem offensive?
How can the board assume that their personal values trump the value of any parent?
3. At the end of the last meeting on 5.7.24, Mr. Lustig shared that he would like to discuss the Independence Law Center at the next board meeting on 5.21.24.
Why wasn’t the ILC invited to share their services publicly, rather than privately in an executive session? (Community members reported seeing ILC lawyers exit into the hallway from the private executive session held in the school.)
What is the motivation for new or additional representation when the district already has council from Stock & Leader?
Why, if the community has no record of asking for such representation, is representation being sought?
While the firm’s services may be advertised as pro bono, is the district opening itself up to costly lawsuits regarding the civil rights of students?
Is the board and community at large aware of the negative responses to this law firm in various districts? Please see these articles:
These questions come from a genuine place of concern and curiosity so that Upper Adams can remain united in serving our whole community. We respectfully request that this letter be shared with the entire board and that the answers are provided in a public means.
Respectfully,
Members of Upper Adams Community Cares
Rachel Elliott
Excellent letter, which raises numerous issues that should be considered by ALL members of “a” board, to encompass many controversial subjects affecting students, parents and the schools. Having been present, and observed a number of boards in some of the smaller areas, there is often a Strong, single minded individual who may control, and influence, the outcome of decisions being made; and others on the board may be unwilling to confront for fear of argument or attacks on their veracity. Parents are responsible for decisions they make for their own children, BUT not for everyone else’s children…..we are still a… Read more »
These are important questions that need to be answered. Dr. Doll, Superintendent of UASD, made it known at a public meeting that there have been zero (0) complaints regarding materials utilizing the current board policy. This would make it obvious that the public has trust in the qualified personnel within the schools and that there is no reason to fix this policy since it obviously isn’t broken. I would also suggest that everyone look into the background of the suggested law firm – who are they affiliated with, what is their agenda (the must have one if they are offering… Read more »