In the official minutes of the March 6 BOE meeting under Public Comment, Mike Kramarenko read a letter on behalf of a parent who could not attend the meeting. The highlights of that meeting in the May issue of the Drummer included the same reference. However, the official minutes failed to explain the underlying incident referenced in the letter, so unless you view the video of the meeting online, you have no knowledge of its content or reference.
One could assume it refers to Kramarenko’s comments that followed regarding the physical attacks, harassment and bullying of female students at a recent school dance that was reported. However, no follow-up or acknowledgement by Superintendent Burke or the BOE had been offered. This is the third incident we have heard about. About a year ago, two female students gave a presentation that discussed the harassment of one of them and the other, whose younger sibling had the same concerns that were reported to Superintendent Grossman, but at the time of their comments nothing had been done.
One of the most important aspects central to our youth is providing safety and order and addressing these aggressive incidents that do not embody Burke’s central theme of “let kindness ripple.”
We would like to know if the bullies’ parents were advised of their children’s unacceptable verbal and physical attacks? Was an apology given to the victims? We don’t need names and numbers, just the knowledge that these issues were addressed.
On another issue: the Educator Diversity Plan is not the responsibility of taxpayers but rather the BOE as required by the Connecticut Commissioner of Education. But every time the subject of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) arises, it seems that Granby’s citizens are reminded that we are racist. Yet, we don’t see any diversity on the Board of Education. Does this mean no one of racial diversity wanted to run for a spot or if they did, were not qualified and thus not chosen?
Having said that, we need more conservatives on the BOE because it is not a balanced representation of Granby citizens who want more fiscal responsibility and historical curriculum (math, science, writing skills). Relying on computers (common core), excuses them from being able to identify the meaning of words or doing math in their heads.
It is time for “wokeism” to get its thumb off the scale regarding what court should have authority over our state’s youth—their safety and quality of life. It is with parents, not the BOE or government administration. It is the fault of parents, grandparents and caregivers who have allowed this toxic and dangerous situation to be left unaddressed. The “woke folk” are only looking out for their own employment and fortunate circumstances. Their method for keeping parents in line is to imply that when they speak out at BOE and other public sessions, parent’s jobs, families, and children’s welfare may incur unfortunate reprisal.
We hear about teachers demanding more pay raises or “they’ll leave to teach in other towns.” I thought they were dedicated to teaching, not threatening taxpayers and parents. As I’ve stated before, more parents are turning to homeschooling so that the ratio of teachers to students should reduce “the stress.” And don’t forget that many people contribute to students’ educational experience who are skilled in and dedicated to their jobs: school bus drivers, custodians, medical office support— we don’t see them demanding higher pay raises at BOE meetings.
We won’t know if 2023/2024 math and ELA test scores have risen in Granby until fall 2024. So, let’s see if teachers have “done their homework” well enough this year to merit a raise —and don’t blame COVID—it’s not an issue now and we didn’t shut down our schools during COVID. Going forward, contracts should require meeting objectives before raises are given. Students don’t receive gold stars on their papers until they’ve taken the test and aced it. You don’t go home with a trophy until you’ve won the race.
The dynamic of the BOE as a statewide directive by the Commissioner of Connecticut Education is to treat the children as adults and treat the adults as children. This is like a glove being worn inside out and on the wrong hand.
I suggest doing an anonymous survey asking Granby citizens if they feel comfortable, confident and content with how our schools are being managed. And let’s not do any “ballot stuffing” one way or the other. I would be happy to provide questions for the survey.