After hearing from families and staff members in Sanborn, I sent a 91-a Right to Know Request to the Superintendent of SAU17/Sanborn. Some of the families are questioning this so-called inclusive school district that seems to be excluding religious families.
After receiving some of the documents I requested, I noticed that all of the emails between staff members focused on diversity and inclusion for just the LGBTQ students. There were no discussions on how to help religious students feel welcome in this school district. How is that inclusive? How does that show appreciation for the diversity of students attending Sanborn?
You can see the communication between myself and Superintendent Ambrose in this post. After reviewing some of the documents provided by the district, you can’t help but notice that the staff is not interested in looking for ways to help their religious students feel welcome or included.
Superintendent Ambrose,
After scanning through the documents provided by the district (attached), I wanted to follow up, and mention that nothing included in these documents addressed your religious students. There is a great deal of support for diversity among the staff in these communications. New Hampshire Revised Statutes (RSA) 193:38 prohibits discrimination in public schools based on a number of factors, including age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, marital status, familial status, disability, religion, and national origin.After reading through the emails provided, it appears as if the district has decided to fully engage in advocating for diversity for the LGBTQ students. However, this district is made up of students from a very diverse background. How does one promote appreciation for diversity while at the same time, ignoring a large segment of the student population? I noticed one document redacted the names of the students who signed up for the
Day of Silence. I’m still perplexed as to why the other documents I requested could not be provided to me. You have not provided the RSA that indicates that there is an exemption in statute. There are all kinds of resources provided in these documents that direct students to LGBTQ websites, but nothing where a student could be directed to a youth group at their local church or synagogue. What about Muslim, Jewish, Hindu or Christian students who attend schools in SAU17? Where are any of your staff advocating for them?
You have a Case manager who includes a hyperlink in her signature that takes the reader to the GLSEN website. GLSEN is a political advocacy group for LGBT students. Founder: Kevin Jennings, became a controversial figure himself. <
Laura J. Betts (she/her) why? Case ManagerSanborn Regional High School (603)-642-3341 x1706 or x1350 This email message (including any attachments) is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential information covered under the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA).
How are families in the district supposed to respond when they hear about SAU17 championing diversity, but fail to see anything in action when it comes to religious students?
Today we see this call for diversity and inclusion, but religious students are excluded. How is that inclusive?
Jews have come under a great deal of anti-semitism due to what is happening in Israel/Gaza right now. One would think that if diversity and inclusion were a priority, your staff would be engaging in a conversation on how to address the Jewish students who may not feel included in this district at all.
In one email, Michelle Farrar, M.Ed (Ellis Middle School Counselor) asks where Sanborn got the gay pride window stickers that some staff members choose to put on their doors? When religious students walk through the school, are they seeing a Star of David or a Crucifix? If not, one has to again ask, is this really an inclusive atmosphere? How will religious families view all of this? Especially coming from a school counselor who is supposed to be there for all of their students.
Rachel Noland, another school counselor references adding some diversity and inclusion topics in their guidance lessons. Then she mentions GLSEN as a great resource. What is guidance all about? I think your families should be notified. Why are they excluding religious resources if this is really about diversity and inclusion?
For the students participating in a Day of Silence, there is instruction about how to respect students who refuse to speak. I see nothing about respecting students who celebrate Good Friday, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, or Diwali. This is from Ashley Harbel / Diversity Club. Sanborn participated in a Day of Silence. What did they do for Good Friday ? This is a sacred holiday on the Christian calendar.
There are emails about training teachers by organizations like GLSEN from Lauren L. Petraitis, Grade 11/12 English teacher. There is no training for teachers offered that would address the religious students in the school.
After reading through the documents provided, this looks more like an overwhelmingly EXCLUSIVE atmosphere than inclusive. What has the SAU, or you as the leader in this district done to support diverse viewpoints, and diverse families? This is what many families in your district are questioning. That is why they reached out to me.
Sincerely, Ann Marie Banfield
It appears as if this district gives a lot of lip service to DEI, but only for some. If they are going to play the game of DEI, then offer the same advocacy for the other groups of students you serve.
Ann Marie Banfield has been researching education reform for over a decade and actively supports parental rights, literacy and academic excellence in k-12 schools. You can contact her at: banfieldannmarie@gmail.com
