Chardon Schools Board Member Statements are Divisive, Send Mixed Message
We are responding to a recent YouTube video featuring the comments of Mr. Todd Albright, Chardon Schools Board of Education member, that require a response.
School boards are elected to act as an advisory body that represents the community which elected them. Ideally, they work together with the superintendent, treasurer and the staff to create a school community that produces thoughtful citizens, interacting with others from different cultures, economic status and religions.
They will have learned from each other, looked at and discussed all kinds of ideas and created opinions based on a strong understanding of social concepts, history and democratic principles. This idea of public education is the basis upon which our representative democracy is built.
Mr. Albright’s idea to communicate with the community is commendable. Anyone willing to devote time to public service is commendable. What is communicated in that video, however, bears questioning.
Mr. Albright has indicated as a board member that he seeks to avoid “division,” but he has made statements that can be interpreted as divisive regarding multiple issues: transgender issues, student confidentiality on OHSSA medical forms, a “distinctly dark tone” presented in reading material in Chardon Schools, rising insubordination in Chardon Schools and what he alleges an unnamed middle school teacher is presenting in class.
He states in the video that he is speaking as a citizen and does not represent the board. Unfortunately, in the video Mr. Albright has two official, board-approved Chardon Schools logos posted in the background. To the general public, this is minimally a mixed message. The statements of elected public officials are rarely heard as private opinion.
On the video Mr. Albright asserts the following:
- “Accountability and transparency are important in schools.”
Agreed, but Mr. Albright uses his position as a board member to call out an un-named teacher who he asserted is discussing a topic he personally disagrees with in class. Chardon Schools has a clear procedure for any disagreement with a teacher. This procedure includes speaking personally with the teacher, then with the principal, then with the superintendent and finally — if all else fails — with the school board.
Why was this procedure not followed in this instance? How did he know what a specific teacher is talking about in a specific class? (He specifies a “brave student” who reported this happened at “8:29 a.m.,” no date nor specific school year was cited.)
It seems to us that a board member at the very least would bring a problem to the administration before going to the public with questionable “hearsay” allegations that put further pressure on our staff.
- “Insubordination” is increasing in Chardon schools and “discipline” is declining.
No supporting evidence was given in the video. This kind of rhetoric creates alarm and unease but again, where is the evidence? Has Mr. Albright followed procedures? Where is he getting his information?
- “The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) can’t even agree as a body on the transgender issue so should a teacher or a school in any way promote it or encourage it? I don’t think so and the outcome of that lifestyle has been proven to lead to depression, drug abuse . . . and suicide. It seems to me to be a topic that should be avoided at all costs.”
Mr. Albright asserts that Chardon parents are required to sign the OHSSA medical forms, which he believes have “intrusive” questions, like gender identity, if their student is to participate in athletics.
The AAP does have a clear position, recently clarified in the media, easily checked on their website. The OHSAA requires all Ohio school districts, including Chardon Schools, to have a doctor complete the OHSSA medical forms so students can compete in sports.
Mr. Albright stated these forms are intrusive because they allegedly ask about “sexual activity” and “the gender question.”
Chardon Schools do not “promote or encourage” these issues. The OHSAA has state-approved policies and procedures that minutely address all these areas. Period.
- “There is a distinctly dark tone set in the literature presented in Chardon’s curriculum, libraries and classrooms.”
Again, no specifics were offered nor, to our knowledge, did Mr. Albright present his concerns to the board. While Chardon’s staff deals with the challenging problems that any school faces, the literature presented in Chardon’s classrooms has been board-approved and follows state standards.
Another topic that is alluded to here is the topic of which books are “appropriate” for students to read. There are two issues here. The first is that an individual school board member who disagrees with any book has a procedure to follow which includes bringing the issue before the entire board for discussion. The second is that a single person, whether board member or not, has no right to tell other parents what their children should be reading.
Parents can ask their own children what they are reading and have every opportunity to ask a teacher not to provide a book they disapprove of to their own children.
We are hopeful that Mr. Albright clarifies his role and his public statements as a Chardon Schools board member. All board members represent the community; all board members have concerns, large and small, in guiding public education.
Videos are less reliable vehicles to address school issues when compared to the established public forum, the school board meeting.
A board member is part of a team of people who were elected to represent the entire community. He/she should first engage with the superintendent and fellow board members to resolve questions and issues. Board meetings are open to the public and follow prescribed sunshine laws. These are the places where board members are meant to bring issues of concern to the community in order to promote the unity Mr. Albright seeks.
Sheldon and Patricia M. Firem, Hambden Township
Bob and Linda Coughlin, Hambden Township
Rick and Kathleen Webb, Munson Township
Madelon Horvath, Chardon City
Laura and Tom Sterlekar, Chardon Township
Dan and Nancy Best, Chardon City
Eileen Smith, Munson Township
Elbert and Catherine Whitright, Munson Township
Judson and Beverly Elliott, Chardon Township
Kim and Martin Greene, Chardon Township
Diane Stocker, Munson Township
Anne Ondrey, Chardon Township
Richard Bair, Chardon City
Bonnie and Glenn Pisching, Chardon City
Roz Kvet, Chardon Township
Cindy Hopkins, Chardon
Ashley Dudinsky, Hambden Township
Deb Dudinsky, Hambden Township
Shirley and Joe Schellentrager, Chardon Township
Kam Forment, Chardon City
Cheryl Sekura, Hambden Township
John McBratney, Munson Township
Elizabeth Cline, Munson Township
Kathy Hanratty, Chardon Township
Nate and Karen McDonald, Munson Township
