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Public commenters press Williamsville on textbook use, prayer accommodation for Muslim students
Summary
Two members of the public urged the board to address district practices: a parent asked for more usable math and science textbooks (not just packets), and a professor and parent requested a plan to let Muslim students perform a brief midday prayer on shortened days, citing a New York State law constraint and asking for DEI committee involvement.
During the public-comment period at the Williamsville Central School District board meeting on Jan. 14, two speakers raised separate concerns for the board’s attention.
Damon Piatek, a parent of two district students, said he has found classroom materials in math and science to be primarily packet-based and lacking features he expects from a textbook — a glossary, index and thorough instruction — which makes it difficult for parents to help children who miss class or study for midterms. "The packets... they're missing thorough instructions. They're also missing a glossary, an index," Piatek said. He told the board he had discussed the matter with teachers and the curriculum specialist but wanted the issue on record.
Saqib Ahmed, a physics and engineering professor at Buffalo State and a parent, asked the district to accommodate Muslim students who need a 3–5 minute midday prayer on shortened school days (the November–March daylight-saving period). Ahmed said that since the start of the academic year the district has prohibited this brief practice citing a New York State law that limits non-instructional time. He told the board families have raised confusion and frustration and asked the district to involve Muslim interfaith parents and the DEI committee in finding a solution that respects state law and students’ religious practices.
Ahmed said he and other parents consulted other New York State districts and principals who reported models that permit short prayer breaks while remaining compliant with state rules. "We... have met slash emailed slash been on calls with multiple... individuals to understand how they are managing this situation," Ahmed said, and he urged the district to include interfaith parents in discussions about start-time changes and schedule accommodations.
Board policy information provided during the meeting reminds commenters that the district cannot respond to personnel or student-specific matters in public comment and that the board will respond by email after the meeting. The board did not make any immediate policy changes during the public-comment period. Both issues were entered into the record for follow-up by district staff.
