Below is the text of an email sent to the Williamsville Board of Education President March 1st, 2023.

Dr. McClary,

I hope you are well. I am writing because, once again, the district is exposing itself to liability, this time with regards to censorship on the district social media pages.

Social media for government entities are considered a "public forum." This includes the official social media pages and posts for school districts. In Duhamel & DuBois v. Baldelli-Hunt, it was ruled that censoring these pages violated posters' first amendment rights, and the government  subsequently paid $7,000 in a settlement to the two plaintiffs, for attorney fees and court costs.

https://www.riaclu.org/en/news/aclu-settles-suit-over-facebook-censorship-woonsocket-mayor

An additional, earlier case:

https://slate.com/technology/2019/01/social-media-block-critics-first-amendment.html

I trust that, now informed in your official capacity as Board of Education president, you will ensure that the district respects the first amendment rights of district residents moving forward, and does not knowingly and negligently expose itself to further liability.


Have a great Tuesday,

Jonathan Rich
WNY Students First

1. There are many issues facing education at large and students in this district. What do
you see as the three most critical issues facing our district today?

The biggest issue facing the district is making up for the learning loss do the pandemic.
The second biggest issue is making the board more transparent in its decision-making
process. The third biggest issue is making sure that the needs of all student are being
met.

2. The board members that we elected last year have been more vocal and communicative
with parents and the community as individuals. Will you continue this trend?

Yes.

3. Many parents purchase homes in the district specifically for the education that
Williamsville Schools are known for. With academic achievement in the district declining
relative to other districts with similar socioeconomic makeups, what can the district do to
put Williamsville "back on top?"

The district must have a cohesive curriculum from k-12 that allows teachers to teach and
students to learn to their fullest potential. The curriculum must integrate students’ social
and emotional learning as well as pure academics, taking into account best practices.

4. How can we balance needing to discuss controversial issues with ensuring that all
students and parents feel that they can be a part of the discussion?

Classrooms need to be a place where students feel safe to discuss ideas and thoughts
that not everyone agrees upon. A teacher’s job is to present all ideas and then allow
students to use their critical thinking skills to help them form their opinions. The teacher’s
role is to help guide the discussion but not present their opinion as the sole answer. A
teacher can provide parents with many resources to help parents have a discussion at
home.

5. New York State is proposing a sexual education curriculum that begins in kindergarten.
Do you feel that the current sexual education that students receive is adequate, and
what are your thoughts on the proposed curriculum?

I am not aware of the proposed curriculum at this time.

6. Some districts are moving to a "culturally responsive" system that considers the ethnicity
and background in student academic achievement and discipline in schools. Do you feel
these policies are effective and appropriate?

It is important to take into account a student’s background so they feel connected to
learning. It is also important to look if the student is being punished based on his or her
race or for their actions.

7. What is your stance on the role, benefits, and drawbacks to standardized testing?

Standardized testing ends up teaching to the middle and moving froward will have less
and less effect on a student’s educational journey. The drawback is it is not a true
measure of student knowledge and takes away time from learning.

8. Board of Education transparency is a key concern for parents. There has been a lack of
transparency around coaching decisions, staffing decisions, curriculum, and the school
reopening. How will you win back the trust of the community for the Board of Education?

Actions speak louder than words. How I will conduct myself on the board is the true test.
I would always be open to input for community members and explain my decision.

9. The Williamsville school district is one of the most diverse districts in Western New York,
but certain demographics continue to be underrepresented on the board, district
committees, etc. How do you personally define diversity and inclusion, and what can the
district do to make these bodies more inclusive?

Make sure we have people of all backgrounds feel welcome. It is important to teach out
to all communities to seek out their input on issues. We must encourage all people to be
active in the school system and the process of making policy.

10. Many parents are concerned about DEI and SEL programs being used as vehicles for
districts, buildings, or individual teachers to inject political views into the classroom. How
do you balance the value of these programs with these concerns?

It is important to understand the fears of parents of the classroom being politized. But at
same time it is important to allow students to be exposed to as many ideas as possible.

11. The COVID pandemic has created serious issues with regards to mental health. How
should the district remediate those issues, and in what way can the district better involve
the community?

The district must allocate more resources to the mental health issues of its students and
use these resources effectively.

12. Many times in the last two years, parents have been looking to Board of Education
members to be more vocal. What do you feel the role of a Board of Education member is
as a leader in the community?

Board members are leaders in the community. Their focus is on education and helping
the superintendent make some decisions about the district.

13. If you don't win a seat on the Board of Education, do you plan to run again in the future?
How do you plan to be involved otherwise?

I really don’t know. I can’t foresee the future. But I will remain active in the district.

14. What are your thoughts on education for the sake of knowledge vs as it pertains to
college preparedness and workforce readiness?

It is the job of the district to help prepare students for the next level of education or job
readiness.

15. Do you agree with the NYS Education Department that schools should teach students to
be social activists?

I believe that students have the right to speak up in what they believe in. A school’s job
is to educate a student to become an engaged citizen of the world and his/her/their
community.

16. Technology has become ubiquitous in the classroom. Do you think that technology is
over/under leveraged, what skills do you think students may be missing out on due to
the easy access to technology, and should parents be concerned?

This is very hard to answer. Each classroom is a different milieu. We must prepare
students to be able to use technology as they move forward but at the same time still
stress all types of learning methods.

17. In the last decade and a half, the percentage of the district budget that goes to teacher
compensation has gone from two thirds to three quarters, and if trends continue that
number will be four fifths by 2025. What problems might this result in?

The district may have to hire less expensive options such as younger, less experienced
teachers. The district might be forced to cut back on extras such as sports and such.
Some problems might be higher class size and could force teacher turnover.

18. Specifically pertaining to education, what individual (teacher, principal, coach, professor)
has had the greatest impact on you, or do you look up to the most?

The teacher who had the most impact on me was my 9thy grade history teacher. He is
really the model I have used in my teaching career. He taught using story and getting
everyone involved and feeling valued.

19. What is your vision for Williamsville Schools as a parent, community member, and
potential Board of Education member?

My vision is to have an inclusive environment where students can thrive and succeed
academically, emotionally, and socially.

To request an absentee ballot, contact Lynn Carey either by phone, email, or at the district office:

Lynn Carey
716-626-8092
105 Casey Rd
LCarey@williamsvillek12.org
East Amherst, NY 14221

Absentee ballots are also available in the Main Office of any WCSD school during normal business hours (7:30am-4:30pm). If you email your request, please include "Application" in the subject line.
 
The voter will need to complete an absentee ballot application and return to the District Clerk by May 10th if the application is to be mailed to the voter OR the day before the election, May 16th, if the ballot is to be delivered in-person at District Office to the voter. 

If the application meets all of the required criteria and the applicant is a qualified voter, the District Clerk may issue an absentee ballot. The absentee ballot will be mailed or available for pick up for those who completed the application at the District Office sometime after April 21st.
 
Once application and absentee ballot is requested a packet, with application included (if not completed), can be mailed out or picked up at the District Office.

Several options are available when turning in packet:

1. Return completed application and ballot by mail according to instructions in the packet.
2. Place ballot in the locked drop box located outside of the entry to WCSD District Office (105 Casey Road, E. Amherst, NY 14221)
3. Return to the District Office during regular office hours (7:30am - 4:30pm on school days.)