Older Concordians, run for School Committee
Being a parent, working, and volunteering for the School Committee is a lot — and probably too much.
The November 19 School Committee meeting was a show of disrespect. Racist and antisemitic incidents are not new to Acton, but they were hidden from view until the light of a new national and global backdrop exposed this underbelly. The Bridge covered the meeting well, but watching the recording is something else. The incident can be viewed at bit.ly/3KuuVoC from 20:35 to 29:36.
Parents who are aware of what happened are either outraged or silently defensive. I have heard exasperated comments that School Committee members are overstretched working parents doing volunteer work for the town. It is true. Being a parent, working, and volunteering for the School Committee is a lot — and probably too much, given the number of difficult or controversial topics we currently face.
In addition to the unsavory racism, antisemitism, and bullying problems, there is also the solar panel issue and new curricula. Parents also fear that tackling difficult issues could have negative repercussions for their children. Those without children in the system are free of this encumbrance.
As a mother of children in Acton public schools, I have seen grandparents and other elders in the community gather in meetings and on committees and show up to school-sponsored events like Vision of a Graduate. Your interest, experience, and guidance offer a ray of hope. I would like to ask some of you to consider running for School Committee in the future. You know the values of the town, and many of you have been vocal about Acton’s Transcendentalist roots.
You have time, and we need your help and wisdom now more than ever.
Bianca Taylor
Lowell Road
The author is a member of the Municipal Light Board writing on her own behalf.
