To the Editor:
We are writing as members of the Guilderland Central School District Board of Education regarding the events that transpired during the first portion of the Aug. 10, 2021, board meeting to set the record straight and dispel any untruths.

First, for background, the New York State Department of Health refused to issue promised guidance on reopening schools for the upcoming 2021-22 school year, despite districts requesting that guidance. The Department of Health advised districts to follow guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health departments.

The abdication of the Department of Health on this issue was felt throughout the state and has led to widespread lack of standardization of safety measures across districts. Given this void, the Guilderland Central School District will be adhering to guidelines published by both the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics, which includes universal mask-wearing by both vaccinated and unvaccinated students, teachers, and staff all in an effort to preserve full-time in-person learning for all students.

We expected some dissent in following these guidelines, and we welcome diverse voices in public comment. We respect every person’s right to an opinion, and value the courage and time it takes to compose a public comment.

What followed at the board meeting however was not a respectful discourse. Multiple community members interrupted other members with shouting and insults; there was little adherence to the board policy time limit of three minutes per public comment; there was rancorous and aggressive arguing between community members that threatened to devolve to violence; there appeared to be targeting of people of color for the worst vitriol.

For that reason, and after multiple warnings were given, the board adjourned for several minutes to allow tempers to cool and de-escalate a very tense situation. Our meeting was able to resume, in public, shortly thereafter, and we were fortunately able to get to the district’s business at hand, including passage of a bond resolution that was focused on key infrastructure improvements including ventilation, bathrooms, playgrounds, outdoor learning spaces, and a turf field.

This acrimony did not end however with the conclusion of our meeting. Several board members have received threatening emails in the last 24 hours with continued personalized warnings.

Democracy involves emotions and diverse viewpoints. As elected representatives, we are aware that not all community members will agree with every decision that is made.

We are also aware that the remedy for disagreeing with an elected official is to speak out and ultimately to vote. The remedy is not to threaten, demean, and disrespect. This conduct does not serve as a role model for our children of civil discourse or the democratic process.

Rebecca Butterfield

Blanca Gonzalez-Parker

Kelly Person

Seema Rivera

Nathan Sabourin

Judy Slack

Gloria Towle-Hilt

Guilderland

School Board