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I am an appointed member of the Commission on Disability. I am writing in my individual capacity.
Now that Annual Town Meeting has concluded, Sudbury has an opportunity to consider what is at stake at the upcoming Special Town Meeting on May 20. Article 4, the proposed “No Confidence” petition directed at the Sudbury School Committee, should be rejected by voters.
This School Committee has spent the past year navigating some of the most difficult and politically charged educational issues facing public schools locally and nationally, while continuing to advocate for students, teachers, nurses, families, transparency, accessibility, and community engagement.
I have had the privilege of working alongside Karyn Jones for several years through the Commission on Disability. What I have consistently seen is someone deeply committed to making Sudbury more welcoming for all families. Beyond the School Committee, she helped start Sudbury’s TOPS Soccer program, supported the development of the collection of decodable children’s books at Goodnow Library with the Adaptive Library of Things, created Sudbury’s accessible trick-or-treat initiative, and organized inclusive community events connecting families with local resources and support. Much of that work happened quietly, without recognition, because her goal was never attention or politics. It was to create opportunities and programs that simply became part of the fabric of the community.
That same philosophy carried into School Committee service. And, it is time we give credit to the amazing work this Committee has done this year.
This year, the Committee worked to increase transparency, strengthen public participation, and create more opportunities for community voices to be heard. It supported hybrid participation and improved access to meetings for working families and residents unable to attend in person. It strengthened policy review practices, reestablished listening sessions, and advocated for earlier posting of meeting materials so residents had more time to engage thoughtfully with district issues.
Importantly, the Committee also created intentional space for voices many families felt had historically been absent from district conversations, including SEPAC and the LGBTQ+ Parent Advisory Council. The Committee formally established the LGBTQ+ PAC, adopted a gender identity policy, and created an Anti-Hate/Anti-Bias Task Force focused on addressing antisemitism, bias incidents, student belonging, and school climate concerns.
The Committee also approached the recent Extended Day RFP process with greater transparency, allowing the community to better understand the type of programming and priorities being outlined for afterschool care. Notably, the evaluation criteria included specific consideration of inclusive practices and student support, emphasizing accessibility and equitable participation.
It is also important to remember the broader climate in which much of this work occurred.
Earlier this year, public schools across the country found themselves at the center of escalating political debates surrounding diversity initiatives, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and student support services. Public figures such as Charlie Kirk and President Donald Trump amplified criticism of DEI-related work in schools, while Massachusetts leaders simultaneously reaffirmed their expectation that districts continue supporting all students in accordance with state law.
Against that backdrop, the Sudbury School Committee was simultaneously navigating conversations surrounding the district calendar, gender identity policies, LGBTQ+ inclusion, anti-bias initiatives, and special education advocacy.
For residents paying attention to the increasingly tense climate surrounding school governance issues locally and nationally, it was not surprising when an agenda item regarding the LGBTQ+ Parent Advisory Council had to be removed from the Committee’s September 22, 2025 meeting agenda amid escalating tensions and safety concerns before later returning for discussion in October.
It is that October meeting later became the subject of multiple (five!) Open Meeting Law complaints filed by residents regarding decisions made publicly during that meeting. While Open Meeting Law complaints serve an important role, they have increasingly been used in highly polarized school governance disputes across the country as tools to pressure, intimidate, and discourage elected school committee and board members from engaging in controversial or politically charged issues.
This still didn’t stop the Committee from advocating for students. When concerns emerged regarding summer academic programming for students receiving special education services, Committee members worked alongside families and SEPAC to advocate successfully for a bridge year with additional funds from the Town while longer-term planning could occur.
Take a look at the work they have done this year:
– Goals
– Community Letter & At-A-Glance Newsletter
Disagreement is part of democracy and public service. Harassment, intimidation, and political retaliation should not define how Sudbury governs itself.
This Committee has done a tremendous amount of work for our students. I urge residents to vote NO on Article 4 and support the continued work of the Sudbury School Committee.