Three Village Official Describes Task Force on Antisemitism, Racism and Hate Speech; Student Ambassadors Planned

Dr. Scanlon described a superintendent's task force on antisemitism, racism and hate speech, formed last spring after incidents at two junior high schools. "The second topic I want to talk to you today about is the superintendent's task force on antisemitism, racism, and hate speech," Dr. Scanlon said.

According to Dr. Scanlon, the initial large committee was split into four subgroups focused on antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism and a category called "othering." Each subgroup has met twice since last spring. Dr. Scanlon said some incidents have continued even as reporting has improved.

To address the problem, the district will recruit high-school students to serve as ambassadors who will visit middle-school English and social-studies classes. "I'm asking the students to become part of a group called ambassadors," Dr. Scanlon said, noting the idea is adapted from elementary-level programs and work by groups such as the Women's Forum. The speaker said ambassadors will be trained by district professionals and outside organizations, with a plan for at least two trainings this year and a goal of four annually across elementary and middle schools.

Dr. Scanlon said the district is focusing on middle grades because that is where many incidents have arisen and emphasized the goal of making students feel supported. The transcript includes Dr. Scanlon describing a pattern (verbatim): "students green lining each other to be able to say comments about different faiths ethnicities races and religions," and the speaker called that behavior "not acceptable." The transcript does not define the phrase "green lining," and that wording appears verbatim in the recorded remarks.

Next steps: continued subgroup meetings, student-ambassador recruitment and trainings. The transcript does not include details about formal policy changes, disciplinary procedures, or timelines beyond the training cadence described.