A public forum set for Thursday on ways the Maple Run Unified School District in St. Albans can be more inclusive was postponed because of “unrest in the community,” according to the consulting firm helping to facilitate the event.
Partners in Restorative Change said event planners made the decision after people posted online, threatening to disrupt the forum over since-revised guidance by Maple Run Superintendent Bill Kimball that district schools should not host holiday celebrations or post holiday symbols.
The community conversation was already being planned when Kimball issued the guidance to Maple Run staff on Dec. 2, citing his responsibilities to “call out” systems of inequity and “honor inclusion of all students and families.”
But when his Dec. 2 letter was posted on Facebook, Kimball said in an interview, people responded with inflammatory language and threats of “storming” the upcoming forum.
Partners for Restorative Change said the event planners didn’t know the letter was coming out, and became concerned by the response it drew on social media.
“This language and the negative assumptions made about others created concern for the potential for violence,” the consulting firm said. “Given the high level of upset and stress in response to the memo and out of concern for everyone’s safety, we are pausing this conversation today and we will reschedule.”
VTDigger emailed one of the firm’s co-directors on Thursday but did not get a response.
In addition to Facebook comments opposing the Dec. 2 decision, some local officials, including state Sen. Corey Parent, R-Franklin, spoke out against the guidance. Leaders of Neighbors for a Safer Saint Albans, an activist group, said the guidance was “counter to the spirit of inclusion and belonging,” removing “what should be an opportunity for students to learn about and celebrate religious and cultural differences.”
Five days after issuing the holiday guidance, Kimball revised and clarified his position, stating in a letter to the community that teachers should “cast a wide net” so students have the opportunity to learn about many different winter holidays.
Decorations in the schools should connect to classroom activities and represent all holidays and traditions equitably, he said. Rather than gift exchanges, he said, teachers should opt for activities that don’t require families to spend additional money.
Overall, he said, his initial guidance was meant to protect students who, because of abuse, financial insecurity or other trauma, may feel anxiety around the holidays.
But for teachers who had already started to plan their holiday celebrations, and students who were looking forward to them, the Dec. 2 letter came with too short notice, Kimball said, for which he was “genuinely sorry.”
“Within our district, there are many educators who have evolved their winter festivities to celebrate their community without using a holiday theme, while still teaching students about many different cultures and traditions throughout the year,” he said. “Yet everyone is not at this point. Therefore, we will offer support to all educators in making this change.”
In a video message on Tuesday, Kimball also said his Dec. 2 guidance especially affected “the students, families and staff who hold Christmas in high regard.”
In its statement, Partners for Restorative Change said the community conversation will be rescheduled for early next year.
According to a flyer posted online, the event was intended to focus on “creating a community where we all feel welcomed and that we belong,” noting “many community members of color have shared that they have not been treated well or have felt unwelcomed.”
“We are going to give ourselves more time to adjust our plan, given the new developments,” the consulting firm’s statement said. “There is work to do to heal as a community and we look forward to doing that with you.”
