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Public commenters urge Clayton board to pause ADL anti-bias program over reporting and policing concerns
Summary
Three public commenters asked the Clayton Board of Education to pause implementation of the Anti-Defamation League—s No Place for Hate curriculum, saying the ADL—s reporting mechanisms and political activity could chill speech and endanger immigrant and Black and brown students; presenters and the superintendent said the district will respond later and consider alternatives.
Three members of the Clayton community asked the Board of Education to pause the district—s planned implementation of Anti-Defamation League (ADL) anti-bias curriculum and to undertake a transparent review of alternatives.
Jess, a Clayton High School alum, told the board the ADL—s reporting measures create a "huge safety concern" because of the organization—s role in police training and the district—s high level of interaction between police and immigration enforcement. "The ADL makes it very clear that they equate criticism of the country of Israel with antisemitism," she said, and argued that the presence of ADL materials could have a "chilling effect" on immigrant students and families.
Frances Perez, a Clayton parent who said she serves on the district—s Equity Commission, criticized the ADL—s politics and tactics and described the curriculum as insufficiently substantive. "Picking the ADL is like a vegan choosing to eat at a steakhouse because they can get a side order of green beans," Perez said, urging the board to assemble a new committee of students, teachers, parents and community members to select a different anti-bias vendor.
Jolina Pang, a Clayton graduate who now works in K—C12 environmental education, said her concern is not whether the district confronts antisemitism but who defines it. Pang said the ADL is a lobbying and advocacy organization and, as she stated, "In 2024, it spent about $1,400,000 lobbying Congress." She asked the board to pause planned expansion of No Place for Hate at Wiedon and Clayton High School and to adopt clear criteria for any outside anti-bias partner.
Superintendent Dr. Patel thanked the speakers and told the board the district would "be responding to those at a later time," noting public comment is followed up individually.
Why it matters: The three speakers framed the ADL choice as a matter of student safety, academic freedom and community trust, and they proposed concrete alternatives (Facing History and Ourselves, Parseo, News Literacy Projects, Checkology) and a working group to compare curricula. The board did not vote on the ADL program at the meeting; presenters acknowledged the request and said the district would provide further information and consideration.
What—s next: Speakers asked for a transparent review and community engagement; Superintendent Dr. Patel said staff will respond later and the board will consider next steps in future meetings.
