School Committee leadership elections seem coordinated to sideline Williams
The process of electing this year’s chairs and vice chairs was odd and demeaning.
I just watched the recording of the June 3 School Committee and was very disturbed. The process of electing this year’s chairs and vice chairs was odd and demeaning. Instead of simply asking for nominations for the first chair and following with a vote, Dr. Laurie Hunter opened an awkward procedure of motions and amendments. The whole process seemed like a coordinated, and ultimately successful, plan to keep Michael Williams from any position of leadership.
This comes on the heels of other moves throughout the year to sideline Dr. Williams, who is Black, and his concerns about transparency and equity. What is the problem? Are the majority of the Acton representatives afraid of difficult discussions? Are they so invested in promoting the excellent aspects of Acton schools that they can’t acknowledge and tackle its shortcomings in welcoming and nurturing our students who feel marginalized and unheard?
I’m sorry to have to conclude that the routine show of congeniality amongst the committee members and our superintendent belies an underbelly of hubris and dismissiveness.
Leslie Fisher
Edmonds Road
