Charlton Select Board asks school committee to condemn antisemitism, to refuse certain MTA teaching materials

CHARLTON, Mass. — The Charlton Select Board voted 4–1 on Tuesday to send a letter to the Dudley‑Charlton Regional School Committee asking the committee to publicly condemn antisemitism, racism and bigotry and to decline use of certain Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) materials related to the Israel‑Hamas conflict.

The motion, made and approved during the board’s June 10 meeting, directs the town to submit the draft letter to the school committee for consideration, subject to review by the town’s legal counsel.

The request followed extended public comment from residents and a formal agenda item after board member David Singer raised concerns at previous meetings about social‑media posts and materials promoted by the MTA. Jean Costello, a resident of 34 Main Street and a member of the Dudley‑Charlton Regional School Committee, addressed the board during open forum. She said the accusations made against her at a prior meeting were “entirely false and defamatory” and added, “I condemn terrorism, anti‑Semitism, and hate in all forms.”

Select Board member David Singer explained his request at length during the agenda item. “My ask is to send the letter from our board asking the school committee…to take a public stance against antisemitism, bigotry, and racism,” he said, framing the request as aimed at prompting official school‑district action on classroom materials and public statements.

Board members voiced support for a formal request but differed on process. Some members urged a broader, multi‑district letter that could include Bay Path and other partners; others said the Select Board has an obligation to lead on community standards. Several members asked that the draft be reviewed by legal counsel before it is sent. Chair Nikki Fischer opened the floor to discussion and acknowledged the motion’s sensitivity, saying the board would send the letter contingent on counsel review.

The board’s recorded outcome was 4 ayes and 1 nay. The motion as amended requires town counsel review before the letter is mailed to Superintendent Marsh and the Dudley‑Charlton School Committee; the school committee will decide whether to take any action.

The public record includes residents’ accounts that incidents involving students were brought to school administrators or law enforcement for investigation; board members urged that any harassment allegations be reported through the appropriate channels so they can be investigated.

Next steps: the Select Board will submit the approved draft to town legal counsel and, if cleared, send the letter to the Dudley‑Charlton Regional School Committee for its consideration.