By Rob Sample
The Carmel School Board’s Aug. 13 meeting turned fractious after the board passed a resolution critical of one trustee, leading to loud protests from his supporters and causing a group of them to be removed from the meeting room.
At issue was a resolution that sought to clarify that board members’ discussions during non-public executive sessions are considered confidential. The resolution further admonished Trustee Jim Wise for reportedly discussing one such matter with residents in recent weeks, in violation of school board policy.
In lieu of pursuing legal action to remove Wise, the resolution states, “… the board has chosen instead to adopt this resolution informing Mr. Wise of his poor judgment so that it is not repeated in the future in the hope that he may become a productive and trusted member of the board.”
The resolution further called for a district governance training session for all board members, and specifically directed Wise to attend.
Wise asked the board to outline exactly what he had disclosed, and to whom, which his colleagues declined to do, noting that the resolution provides a means for him to obtain this information.
“I think it is outrageous that this district has now spent hundreds of dollars on lawyers pursuing this matter… in the middle of a budget crisis,” he said.
Wise attracted sharp criticism in the community for his denunciation of Israel’s government – particularly the Gaza bombing raids that have happened since the Oct. 7 attacks on Israeli towns by Hamas terrorists. Wise, who is Jewish, took part in a rally earlier this summer at the Putnam County Courthouse, holding up a sign that read, “Jews for Palestine.”
“There are many organizations – like Jewish Voice for Peace – who fight for the rights of Palestinians and are not antisemitic at all,” stated Robin Esser, a Patterson resident and a New York City high school teacher, at the recent meeting. “To say that you want an immediate cease fire, to chant ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine must be free,’ is not antisemitic. Actually, the idea of a two-state solution always had Palestine having a corridor to the Mediterranean.”
At intervals, board Vice President Dawn Dall, who was running the meeting, had to rein in members of the public.
“We’re veering off our school board agenda,” she said. “We welcome people up to the podium, (but) we would like it to have to do with what we are addressing tonight on our agenda. You can speak specifically to that. We’re just not opening it up to more global political views.”
Board Trustee John Curzio II read from part of the school board’s bylaws: “School board trustee speakers may comment on matters of public interest involving school operations and programs,” he read. “That topic that you’re speaking of is of vital importance. But how is it relative to school operations?”
“I’m trying to point out that Jim… should not have been censured because he wasn’t doing anything that was morally wrong,” answered Esser.
“We are here to follow the policies of doing the work of the district,” noted Trustee Jordi Douglas. “These are incredibly important issues, but this is not the forum.”
The board then passed a motion postponing public comment until after board members concluded the business part of the meeting. “We have to honor the fact that we are opening up school (soon),” said Dall, explaining that the board needed to get to the rest of the agenda.
Wise protested that delay.
“It is deeply disrespectful to everyone sitting here tonight who came to comment – to put that off to sometime undetermined after the business of the board,” he said.
Among those who later spoke in support of Wise was resident Abigail Lyons.
“Trustee Wise has made significant contributions to this district since taking his seat last May,” she said. “I would be here all day if I could list how much he’s done on the board and off the board, and you guys all know it. He is the only board member who constantly speaks up for and supports marginalized groups within our community.”
Among the measures considered by the board, trustees voted to table, until Sept. 9, action on a revised policy on the racial harassment of students. In addition, the board waived a second reading of its Code of Conduct. The motion carried by a five-to-one vote, with Wise the sole ‘no’ vote.
“This change reduces the ability of parents to appeal if their students are facing discrimination,” he said.
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