To the Editor:

The recent resignation of Rebekah Harriman from the BOE, prompted community comments which underscore the deep divide that permeates Newtown since the introduction of DEI.

At BOE meetings and in print, advocates of DEI have questioned the Board’s commitment to “ALL” of Newtown’s students. I capitalize the word “all” because in the DEI controversy I have found “all” to be no simple pronoun. It’s a rhetorical insinuation, an accusation, that people who disagree with DEI are latent Racists intent on treating certain students unfairly.

I believe this to be patently untrue and a defamation of the Board, and teachers of Newtown.

Another common refrain is that this Board is “political”… valuing elections over educational “experts” to the detriment of students. Once again, I believe this to be untrue and a defamation of the Board, and here’s why:

Firstly, the term “experts” when applied to education, should rightly be termed “DEI experts” because they now dominate every aspect of education from kindergarten to post-graduate. I think America has accurately identified them as a major source of Cancel Culture/Wokism that is spreading dysfunction in our schools and society. As far as I’m concerned, virtue and common sense reside in parents, not “experts.”

And how can parents make their will known to Boards of Education? By weaponizing social media and wearing “I’m NOT a Racist” T-shirts to counter the tactics of DEI proponents?

No, it’s thru elections.

DEI was introduced by the election of the previous Board, and Newtown has the obligation to correct things thru elections when necessary. Simply stated, we will either be subject to elections, or “DEI experts,” take your choice.

Polls show overwhelming support for alternatives to public schools (72% according to the “American Federation for Children”). I believe this is largely a reaction to DEI and that everyone who can afford to take their kids out of public schools has already done so.

If you believe, as I do, this is an American tragedy, then school boards are the only way back. But they have no chance without our support. I urge everyone to support the current BOE and vote like our kids and country depend on it … because they do.

Tony Keating

Newtown