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Parents and residents urge board to reconsider ADL training partnership; speakers say it limits criticism of governments
Summary
Several public commenters asked the Clayton School District to reconsider mandatory training with the Anti‑Defamation League (ADL), saying the ADL stifles legitimate criticism of Israel and is not neutral; the board noted public comment will be followed up by email.
Multiple residents used the public‑comment period of the Board of Education meeting to press the district to reconsider a mandatory faculty training partnership with the Anti‑Defamation League (ADL).
Ellie Gund, a Clayton alum and public‑school teacher, said the ADL’s definition of antisemitism “includes that any criticism of the state of Israel is in itself antisemitic,” and argued that the district’s partnership precludes legitimate critique of governments. “By precluding criticism of Israel, the school district of Clayton is putting themselves out of alignment with what their Jewish students probably believe,” Gund said.
Frances Pierce, who said she serves on the Clayton Equity Commission, said she researched the ADL and found it “is not a neutral organization” and criticized the partnership for emphasizing one set of concerns while, she said, other forms of racism against Black students have been overlooked.
Jessica (no last name provided), a CHS graduate and current Clayton resident, said she feared the ADL’s presence would chill open dialogue about Israel and Palestine in classrooms and noted that the National Education Association voted in June to cut ties with the ADL. “This partnership with the ADL is a step backwards,” Jessica said, asking the board whether other training sources were considered and whether Arab and Muslim students were taken into account.
The board chair reminded the public that the district does not respond during public comment but will follow up by email. Superintendent Dr. Patel said staff would respond to commenters after the meeting.
Board members did not take immediate action on the ADL partnership at the meeting. The district’s existing partnerships — including relationships with local temples, the Holocaust Museum and high‑school Jewish student groups — were also mentioned by commenters who said the district supports Jewish students; at the same time, commenters urged more neutral or inclusive programming that addresses multiple forms of bias.
