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Parent tells Newington Board staff 'should not guide' students after school walkout
Summary
A resident accused school staff of encouraging students to participate in a recent walkout and asked the board to hold a balanced assembly, including outreach from the local ICE office; the board acknowledged the complaint and said policies exist but did not take formal action.
Dana Havens, who identified herself as a Newington resident at 113 Stoddard, used the board’s public-comment period to return to concerns she raised the night before about a student walkout. "The fact that the assembly was held in the back of the school where only students would be aware of it strongly suggests that the event was intended to influence or direct the thoughts of our students," Havens said, adding that tables and a stage set up in the gym and reports that teachers "strongly encouraged" attendance imply administrative support for the walkout’s message.
Havens said reports that the mother of one speaker "was promoting information that was incorrect or at best misleading" raised the risk that students were exposed to inaccurate material. She asked the board to organize an assembly that included speakers representing "both sides of the aisle" and suggested inviting a representative from the local ICE office in Hartford if that office has an outreach program.
Board members acknowledged Havens’ concerns during the meeting but did not vote or issue a formal response at the session. The chair reminded the public that participation rules require speakers to state name and address for the record. The board said it would rely on existing policies to guide staff conduct and to ensure students receive accurate information; no disciplinary or investigatory action was announced at the meeting.
Next steps: Havens’ request for a balanced assembly and an ICE representative was recorded as public comment. Board members and staff said they would follow up through regular channels; the meeting moved on to the agenda without an immediate policy change.
