CROTON HARMON SCHOOL DISTRICT "EQUITY" ISSUES IN THE NEWS AGAIN, ANOTHER IMPORTANT LETTER FROM JESSICA DIECKMAN

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CROTON HARMON SCHOOL DISTRICT "EQUITY" ISSUES IN THE NEWS AGAIN, ANOTHER IMPORTANT LETTER FROM JESSICA DIECKMAN

To The Gazette Readers,

I had specific experiences and memories from my participation thus far on the Croton Harmon District equity team and simply wish to clarify a few important points. 

Simply because certain members of the committee did not voice their concerns does not, by default, suggest that the recommendations were not introduced and forced into position (by NYU Metro). One who is in agreement of a recommendation whole-heartedly would not necessarily perceive the process of introducing the recommendation as forcible or pre-fabricated.

 I observed members of our team grow very argumentative with people who didn’t agree with them or NYU Metro, to an embarrassing extent. In the groups I worked in, NYU Metro pushed ideas hard (often leaning on and referencing the NY State 'Framework' to justify the exclusion of disagreement and further discussion).

The moderator of the summer equity meeting, a very cordial and interesting person who extended herself and her time for the group, did indeed take a decidedly political stance, describing herself during the meeting as a left-wing political activist. She explained in very plain terms that there are 'too many' conservatives and Republicans in Lakeland and Yorktown. I noted this and challenged her during the meeting as to its relevance to the equity team's work.

Regarding school hiring, I believe we do all agree that 'most-qualified' is the starting point. Under no circumstances would I ever suggest that candidates for school positions be chosen based on race or sexuality. In the context of having witnessed the discussions during the equity meetings about subverting normal hiring practices, having the district attend hiring fairs exclusively for specific groups based on their race or sexuality, finding acceptable loopholes around anti-discrimination laws in hiring (particularly alarming), and using attributes of race or sexuality as primary points of candidacy, I want to pay close attention to any steps taken moving forward. If these are not the intentions, that is good, because I believe the school-community does not want to be at risk for missing out on future high-caliber teachers and staff of any race or sexuality simply because a mandate for certain 'buckets' to be filled had been created. Additionally, it is vital to be certain that potential legal ramifications are forecasted properly with any tailoring of hiring-practices.

Overall, I base much of my reaction on having spent time in, and actively speaking and asking questions during, the district's equity meetings that have been held since October 2020. The details and the moods of many of these discussions are not (nor are they necessarily supposed to be) reflected in the recommendations in their current-form, but they resonate with me nevertheless as the basis for intended future actions.

Sincerely,

Jessica Dieckman 

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EDITOR'S NOTE: YOU MAY ALSO HAVE AN INTEREST IN https://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2021/09/equity-team-concerns-letter-from-this.html  

and

https://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2021/09/equity-diversity-inclusiveion.html