On Tuesday, March 13, the Board of Education (BoE) meeting’s public comment period served as a forum for a contentious debate over one issue: student discipline at Enfield Elementary School. Speakers debated the issues of whether enough was being done to discipline troublesome students, and whether faculty at the school should be considered responsible for enabling bullying and a chaotic learning environment.
Numerous parents and teachers came to the board meeting wearing yellow shirts stating “Inclusion, Compassion, Diverse Values, Enfield,” illustrating their support for the core values of Enfield and of the school itself. Multiple sides of the debate were represented, as over twenty people voiced their opinions over issues surrounding discipline and restorative justice at Enfield. In an hour-long meeting with many heartfelt moments, parents, teachers and community members argued their positions on student disciplinary issues at Enfield.
The public comment period began with Enfield staff members and guardians voicing their support for the school and its administration. Speakers, including a long-term substitute, a kindergarten teacher, a social worker, parent, and a special education teacher, voiced their support of Enfield’s current principal, Lisa Rieger.
However, the comments quickly turned to criticism of the administration and lack of disciplinary measures at the school. Critics maintained that Enfield is wrought with violence, and argued that it is not being addressed properly. Recent violent incidents at Enfield have ranged from aggressive outbursts by students, and verbal and physical attacks by students to their peers and even to teachers. Parents and teachers shared their personal experiences with aggression: a female student being bullied on the playground; a male student being told by another student, “I will kill you”; students trashing classrooms; and a teacher being spat on, bitten, and attacked by a student as other classmates watched. Parents noted that the classes are oftentimes disrupted by these acts of aggression which take away from value learning time. A parent and teacher cited a shocking statistic, saying that Enfield has 34 to 35 percent lower grades on NYS ELA and Math exams than the other elementary schools in the district.
One parent said, “Teachers, parents, and students are calling out for help; please help us. If this issue is not addressed tomorrow, I will be dumbfounded.” Another recounted that while these violent events have persisted at Enfield for years, nothing has been done. Another parent explained that the administration often dismisses these issues as “not bullying, but acts of aggression.” This was contrasted with the expectations set forth by the Dignity for All Students Act, which states that schools are responsible for the proper documentation and discipline of violent actions in school settings. These parents argued that Enfield provides an unsafe environment for elementary school students, and the school needs to improve disciplinary measures.
On the other side, those who wore the yellow “inclusion” shirts stated that harsher discipline is not the solution to the issues of violence and behavioral outbursts at Enfield, and that the students need new resources that they are not currently receiving. They voiced their strong support for Principal Rieger and the measures taken by her administration to address the issues that have plagued Enfield.
After a passionate public comment period, Enfield’s principal, Lisa Rieger, presented to the BoE on “Why Enfield is Great,” praising Enfield and the new developments and measures taken to give students an equal, meaningful education. She described the growing mindset of students at Enfield, and noted that they are at an age where they can greatly grow their brain through education and perseverance.
The Board’s response to this issue was limited. Dr. Patricia Wasyliw stated that “The BoE does not cover up, or condone the covering up of anything.” She went on to say that the Board cannot address issues of the individual, due to violations of privacy and confidentiality. Dr. Christopher Malcolm stated that “[they] do not have a solution; it is a continued process.” Both Moira Lang and Nicole LaFave went on to give statements that were in support of collaboration in order to make changes. In response to members asking for in-school suspension rooms, Board member Brad Grainger said, “We are trying not to have ISS rooms, we are trying to provide an equal opportunity.”
The biweekly BoE meetings are becoming an increasing medium for dialogue and conversation over controversies in ICSD, such as the IHS musical that was discussed at the last meeting. The IHS Board Representatives (Asha Duhan, Meera Bai Singh, Leo Song, and Myeong Hak Lee) encourage all students to attend board meetings and become involved in conversations about issues in ICSD.