Milford school board tables controversial policy change

MILFORD — A revision to a district policy regarding the standards of controversial issues in classrooms was debated during a Milford School District board of education meeting July 15, but the topic was ultimately tabled, so more information can be gathered.

Originally adopted in 1974, Board Policy 6103 was put in place to ensure academic freedom, while protecting teachers and staff from censorship that may interfere with their ability to teach. It was revised in 1976 and 1982.

The impetus behind this year’s proposed revision was explained by board member Adam Brownstein at the meeting last week. It stemmed from a complaint in March.

“The complaint was that a Jewish student in our district felt threatened, unsafe and unsupported due to the presence of a (Black Lives Matter) flag in their classroom,” he said. “To them, this organization has endorsed the murder of Jewish people. It should be clear to everyone here why this complaint warranted some kind of attention.”

Following the student’s objection to the flag, three of the seven board members randomly inspected six Milford High School classrooms to see if the issue was widespread, Mr. Brownstein said. They determined that, in half the rooms, there were emblems displayed that were political or quasi-political.

It led them to propose the update to Policy 6103.

The revision reads: “Milford School District staff shall ensure that the learning environment is free of conduct or items that have a purpose of effect, intentionally or unintentionally, of substantially interfering with a student’s performance in the educational environment. Milford School District staff shall ensure that the learning environment is free of conduct or items that intentionally or unintentionally create an intimidating, exclusionary, hostile or offensive educational environment.”

The July 15 meeting included public comment on the proposal, and many raised concern, feeling the revision would go against First Amendment rights.

“Under the proposed Policy 6103, controversial symbols can and most certainly will be used as part of our curriculum,” Mr. Brownstein said. “But they must be used in that specific capacity as part of the curriculum.”

However, those against the policy change said they want to ensure that students and faculty have free speech.

“It undermines our ability to engage with students in meaningful conversations about important and sometimes controversial topics,” said Grace Parfitt, a Milford High teacher and mother of district children.

There were also some students who spoke out against the revision.

“The members of our board think that pursuing political prestige is more important than making actual improvement,” said Ricardo Bruinton, a rising senior and student representative for the school board. “There is no excuse, and they have all had time to come up with adequate solutions, yet they have failed.”

The potential policy change was also opposed by American Civil Liberties Union Delaware, who urged attendance at the meeting via social media.

“Our initial feedback regarding the policy still stands. It is overboard and vague and will undoubtedly lead educators to censor themselves or their speech will be chilled,” Mike Brickner, the group’s executive director, said at the meeting. “What may or may not qualify as quote ‘ideological or political speech’ is not well defined, and staff may continue to feel pressured to change curriculum decisions based on how controversial a subject may seem, which will undoubtedly impact lesson plans on issues ranging from race, gender, sexuality, various scientific principles and other topics.”

While the majority of meeting attendees opposed any change to Policy 6103, a few did express support.

“If you read the (updated) policy, it says that every side of the argument gets to be discussed,” said Kim Wells of Milford. “I think that is worth needing. When discussing a topic, we all learn from each other.”

For information, visit milfordschooldistrict.org .