This summer area state representatives received messages from constituents about education policies in Merrimack Valley School District (SAU 46)—which includes the communities of Boscawen, Loudon, Penacook, Salisbury, and Webster. Citizens were concerned about several issues, including spending, mask mandates, and critical race theory, among others.
Evidence was shared about egregious CRT material being foisted upon 12-year-olds. Those who contacted us felt—fairly or unfairly—that the board didn’t care about their issues.
In response to this constituent outreach, state reps requested a public joint session with the school board. We saw such a meeting as an opportunity for all parties to come together, communicate, get to know each other, clarify positions and clear the air. School districts are far better off when the greater community can unite to support education.
Our meeting request was declined.
We were told we could offer comments during the public session at the end of a board meeting. Feeling dismissed and disrespected, we pressed the issue on behalf of our constituents. The board relented and scheduled a joint collaborative session. To their credit, the board, the SAU office, and the folks at Merrimack Valley High School did wonderful work setting up a meeting for Sept. 20 at the MVHS gym, with an option for folks to watch from the school library if they objected to local mask protocols.
We’d asked that the mask mandate issue be on the agenda. It was not. We’d requested that citizens have opportunities to share thoughts and ask questions. This request was denied. The CRT issue was included on the agenda—as the ninth and final item.
On meeting night many citizens showed up without masks and took seats in the gymnasium, segregating themselves on the far left side of the bleachers, far away from the masked attendees. The school board chair, who was running the meeting, would not start the session until these citizens left the gym. The people stayed in the bleachers. For forty minutes we all quietly sat there. The police were called. Then the “meeting” was improperly “adjourned” with no action taken.
After the non-meeting, veteran State Representative Howard Pearl (Loudon Town Moderator) offered to organize a session in Loudon so the important agenda items could be addressed. We would add the mask mandate issue to the agenda, which was obviously important to so many. And we would afford citizens opportunities to speak.
Having been born in Communist Cuba before coming to this great country as a refugee, I have a deep appreciation for the freedoms America offers. But I see an incremental erosion of those freedoms. When government officials stifle criticism and discourage freedom of speech it truly threatens all of our rights and values.
And those who criticize school board policies deserve a measure of responsibility as well. In not offering alternative board candidates and by ceding control of annual school meetings to the education establishment they should not be surprised when spending becomes unsustainable or dubious policies are promulgated.
If transparency, accountability, student achievement and measurable assessments are important to people, then they should get further involved.
Despite declining enrollment and declining test scores, citizens still support SAU 46 with more funding than ever, with a budget of around $43 million. But why are so many families pulling their students from MV schools? Why is there such a clamor for school choice?
We need to talk. And we need to listen.
Thank you, Representative Pearl, for stepping up and arranging for the meeting on Monday, Oct. 18, at 6:30 p.m. at Loudon’s Fire Station #1. The session will feature mask protocols and social distancing options that will be safe and fair to satisfy all parties.
And thank you Superintendent MacLean and Assistant Superintendent Wormald for your presumed attendance and participation.
There will be chairs set up for all area board members, state reps, and concerned citizens and we look forward to a positive event that will bring people together and reverse the decline in support for our schools.
We don’t know who will ultimately show up, but we’ll dance with whoever comes to the party.
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State Rep. Jose’ E. Cambrils is a retired engineering manager who represents Merrimack District 9 which includes the towns of Canterbury and Loudon.