D-R School Committee Discusses GBI Policy

The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School Committee remains divided over the GBI policy which prohibits teachers from engaging in political activism.

In a 5-5 vote at the April 8 meeting, the committee failed to approve the policy. Eliza Couture, Joseph Luca, Richard Barrett, Aaron Morse, and Donna Berdos voted no. Chairperson Chris Andrade, Glenn Jefferson, Peter Latour, Karen DaSilva, and Katie Ferreira-Aubin voted in favor.

Last December, the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional Teachers Association (DRTTA) filed a grievance against the school district over the policy.

“The policy is a political policy,” the union’s President Steve Patrick said. “It’s about politics. It’s not about campaigning for someone. It is not about what’s right, what’s wrong. This policy is not about social issues. You need to look at this fairly and re-think on how you’re going to vote tonight.”

“The reason we’re doing this, time after time after time, is we inject, for lack of a better term, some political agenda into GBI,” said Eliza Couture.

One of the points of contention was allowing LGBTQ Pride flags to be displayed in classrooms.

“Neutrality is the fairest and most respectful position for all. We should focus on universal values of kindness, dignity, and respect without unintentionally alienating segments of our population,” Morse explained.

Many members of the public expressed their reservations about GBI. The discussion became tense and Andrade called for a brief recess.

“I find this policy, as a public school employee, to be condescending, disrespectful, accusatory, (in) that we actually have the time to indoctrinate your children, and quite frankly, (demonstrates) a severe lack of knowledge of what’s happening in our schools,” said Heather Dupont.

“As is school committee practice, I allowed for public input on these policies,” Andrade said Thursday via e-mail. “Several members of the community stepped forward to provide their feedback. Once the foul language was introduced and the situation began to deteriorate, as a concern for the public, staff, and school committee I opted to clear the room so that the committee could continue its work. We also did reach out to Rehoboth police to assist with dispersing the unruly crowd, but I don't believe there were any further consequences to date for those involved. However, Rehoboth police are reviewing the recording to make that determination.”

“I would like to commend the school committee, staff, and most members public who helped to advocate for the mission of the DR School district in a thoughtful and professional manner,” Andrade added. “Unfortunately, a handful of unruly Rehoboth residents caused a disruption, but the committee did complete its work that night.”

The revised GBI policy states in part: “In connection with campaigning, an employee shall not: use school district facilities, equipment or supplies; discuss their campaign with school personnel or students when actively engaged in official duties; or use any time for campaigning

purposes when actively engaged in official duties. Under no circumstances will students be pressured into campaigning for any staff member.

In addition, school district facilities are not public forums for the display or dissemination of an employee’s views on political candidates or political, partisan, or social policy issues. While engaged in their official duties, employees shall not participate in political activities.