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Marblehead School Committee adopts proclamation cautioning against MTA Israel‑Gaza instructional materials
Summary
The School Committee voted 3–2 to adopt a proclamation advising district staff against using a set of Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) resources on the Israel‑Gaza conflict that the committee characterized as one‑sided and potentially discriminatory.
The Marblehead School Committee voted 3–2 on May 15 to adopt a proclamation that cautions district staff about using Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) instructional materials on the Israel‑Gaza conflict.
Supporters said the proclamation affirms the district’s commitment to historically accurate, non‑discriminatory instruction and directs the district to follow federal guidance about protecting students from discrimination. Opponents, while agreeing with the goal of protecting students, said existing district policies and curricular review processes already guard against harmful materials and that a separate proclamation was unnecessary.
The proclamation text the committee approved said the MTA’s listed resources contained “unambiguous antisemitic elements,” and “could create an environment that undermines the values of impartial education and mutual respect among students and staff.” The resolution calls on Marblehead Public Schools to “strive to foster an educational setting that is respectful, historically accurate, and free from discrimination” and to follow the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights guidance cited in the proclamation.
School Committee member Sarah Fox introduced the motion; Allison Taylor seconded. The final vote was: Sarah Fox — yes; Allison Taylor — yes; Jen Schaffner — yes; Al Williams — no; Bridal Oda — no. After the vote committee members said the measure is a public reaffirmation of values already embedded in district policy and curriculum review processes.
Superintendent John Rabidoux and members of the district’s leadership team told the committee that local curriculum decisions are made in the Office of Teaching and Learning and submitted that the district already follows a materials review process. The Marblehead Education Association’s local leaders also addressed the meeting earlier in public comment and stated their own positions were independent of the statewide union.
The committee said it would distribute the proclamation to the district staff, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC), the state special commission on combating antisemitism, and other relevant state agencies.
