Robert Meeropol: Reacts to Easthampton High School issues

Reacts to Easthampton High School issues

Most people who spoke at the Easthampton School Committee meeting last week talked about whether to ban the Confederate flag at the high school (“Confederate flag banned at EHS,” May 10). I felt two other matters were just as important.

I asked School Committee members to act as educators by issuing a public statement calling for all students involved in a recent altercation to receive counseling rather than court dates, regardless of how the district attorney’s office handles the charges against the students. This would address the perception that students of color have been unfairly targeted.

Secondly, the School Committee should examine how adults’ failure to confront overt racism and xenophobia exacerbated the situation. The problem at the high school has been brewing for a school year, perhaps longer.

The School Committee cannot carry out its oversight role when the administration sweeps uncomfortable issues under the rug. For this reason, it is critical that the Collaborative for Educational Service’s investigation of events at the high school focus on how the administration handled the situation, as well as the students’ actions.

Robert Meeropol

Easthampton

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