New Kent school board adopts Victims of Communism Memorial Day resolution
Summary
The New Kent County School Board unanimously adopted a resolution designating November 7 as Victims of Communism Memorial Day and removed any requirement that schools use a specific external curriculum the board had previously considered.
The New Kent County School Board on Oct. 7 unanimously approved a resolution designating Nov. 7 as Victims of Communism Memorial Day.
Board member Lori Dombrowski asked the board to add the resolution to the meeting agenda and to consider adopting it that evening. She told the board she had withdrawn a separate request that the division adopt a specific online curriculum connected with the memorial day after discussions with staff earlier in the week. The board then voted to add the item to the agenda and later approved the resolution as read into the record.
The approved resolution designates Nov. 7 as an annual observance to honor victims of communist regimes and encourages administrators, teachers, students and community members to commemorate the date and “promote the values of freedom, democracy and human rights.” Dombrowski said she removed language that would have endorsed or required use of the external Victims of Communism Memorial curriculum; the board did not direct schools to adopt any particular instructional materials.
During discussion, administrators told the board the curriculum website Dombrowski had referenced contains teaching resources but the division would not be required to use them. Superintendent Dr. Nichols and staff said any classroom use of outside materials would follow the division’s normal review and approval processes.
Board members voted by roll call; the motion to adopt the resolution passed unanimously.
The board’s action was limited to the local proclamation; speakers noted that related state-level measures have been introduced but not enacted on an ongoing statutory basis. The meeting record does not direct schools to change curriculum or require classroom activities on Nov. 7 beyond listing the date for local remembrance.
