FAYETTEVILLE-MANLIUS SCHOOL DISTRICT – The debate over the Fayetteville-Manlius schools’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative continued at the F-M school board’s annual organizational meeting, held July 6.
About 10 parents addressed the board, speaking both in favor and in opposition to the district’s initiative in front of boisterous audience.
“The board seems to listen to one group of people and implement their wants while not doing the same for others,” said parent Tony Prince. “Now we’re about to have another social agenda being implemented by the board and school boards across America.”
“Make no mistake, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is critical race theory,” Prince continued. “You will not tell our children that they are inferior, oppressed, privileged or victims based on race.”
Twice, board president Marissa Mims asked the crowd to refrain from applauding and whistling in response to the speakers.
Those speaking in opposition to the district’s DEI initiative were countered by several parents who favor the plan.
“By increasing the exposure of our children to multiple perspectives and creating environments where they can have meaningful dialogue discussions and debates, we are helping to create them into well rounded, thoughtful, compassionate individuals capable of critical thought and empathy,” said parent Sarah Fitzgerald, a mother of four. “And isn’t that what we all want?”
“As a straight, able-bodied white woman I lead a privileged life. No one tells me that I am less than because of my skin color or sexual preference. No one treats me differently because of my physical or mental abilities,” said Amy Kruse. “So, I have a choice. I can benefit from the privileges that society has given me and be a complacent bystander while others have to fight for their basic human rights, or I can choose to be a true ally and lift people up. I choose the latter.”
As part of the DEI initiative, F-M’s school board members and administrators have participated in a series of retreats and training sessions focused on creating an anti-racist environment in the district and educating participants to identify implicit bias. The district also plans to audit the curriculum to “ensure inclusiveness” and “to make sure that our students feel represented and that the experiences they are living are reflected in the classroom,” Tice wrote in a May 3 email to parents.
The initiative is in keeping with an April directive from the state Board of Regents that all public school districts develop policies that advance diversity, equity and inclusion.
“We’re a very strong district, we’re proud of our results, but at the same time, I think we all want to be deliberate, systematic, and methodical in addressing the Board of Regents DEI initiative,” Superintendent Craig Tice said in a release issued last week.
Mims said the board will discuss the framework for the district’s DEI initiative at its next meeting.