Hundreds of residents, students press Scituate School Committee over elimination of DEI post

Community members packed the Scituate High School meeting and tens more spoke remotely on Oct. 20 to urge the School Committee to reinstate the district-level diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) leader and to provide public clarity about the decision to eliminate the position and about the departure of Jamil Adams.

Speakers included students, parents, teachers and town clergy who described Adams as a driver of student programs and district outreach and said removing his position would harm marginalized students. ‘‘A tower of blocks interdependent on 1 another to sustain strength and stamina. Pull just 1 out and you risk toppling all of the work put into building this pillar,’’ Scituate educator and parent Nicole Resha told the committee.

Students who said they had been mentored by Adams described classroom and extracurricular programs they tied directly to his work. ‘‘If it wasn't for Jamille Adams, I wouldn't even be where I'm at today,’’ student Jayla May told the meeting. Several student speakers said they were not consulted prior to the staffing change and asked the committee to involve students in any redesign of DEI work.

Why it matters: Residents framed the removal as more than personnel change, saying it signals the district’s approach to equity work and community trust. Several speakers urged transparency about the process and asked the committee whether the district sought input from the communities the role served. Community leaders said eliminating the role without notice sends a ‘‘chilling’’ message to families of color and other marginalized groups.

What officials said: Interim Superintendent Daniel Raff (presented at the meeting as Dr. Raff) told the public he is ‘‘committed to diversity, equity, inclusion. It's a critical component to the development of our students,’’ and said the district would prepare a draft job description for a new district-level role and seek community input before the committee takes action. He told the committee he would bring a draft job description for committee consideration on Nov. 17 and will host office hours and listening sessions in the coming weeks.

Discussion vs. decision: Public comments at the Oct. 20 meeting were not a committee vote. Committee members and the superintendent said the committee does not handle day-to-day personnel decisions and that the board’s authority is to create or abolish a position; the superintendent described the next step as drafting a job description and soliciting community input. The meeting record shows no formal vote about reinstating the eliminated position or about Mr. Adams’ employment status.

Next steps and community requests: Multiple speakers asked for an explicit timeline and documentation of the process that led to eliminating the position. Interim Superintendent Raff said he will post office hours and that the administration will circulate a draft job description and invite public comment before the Nov. 17 meeting. Community members asked for listening sessions that include students and for assurance that programs Adams led will continue in the short term.

Quotes (selected): "His response, I think, was one of the best lessons that anyone could have ever taken from school... he responded with nothing but love and light," Michelle Ramaphosha, community member and longtime Scituate educator. "The way his dismissal had been handled is nothing short of disgraceful," Dina Dre, parent and community advocate. "I'm committed to diversity, equity, inclusion. It's a critical component to the development of our students," Interim Superintendent Daniel Raff.

Ending: The committee did not take a formal vote on the DEI post during the Oct. 20 meeting. The superintendent said he will return on Nov. 17 with a draft job description and that the district will host public listening sessions in the coming weeks to collect input that will inform the committee’s review.