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Alum raises viewpoint-discrimination concerns about high school principal during public comment
Summary
A concerned sibling and alum told the Berlin Central School District board that the high school principal handled a 2024 valedictorian speech and related materials inconsistently, alleging viewpoint discrimination and saying a teacher used study hall to promote gender-identity beliefs; the comment called for board action and produced no recorded board response.
During the public-comment period a speaker identifying as a concerned sibling and alum asked the board to investigate what they described as inconsistent and discriminatory handling of student viewpoints by the high school principal.
The commenter said a valedictorian speech in 2024 was curtailed because it included “a handful of bible verses” and that a disclaimer was placed on graduation materials; the speaker contrasted that with other school activities promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion and called the discrepancy a potential instance of viewpoint discrimination. “Our school should be a place where all students feel safe, respected, and valued regardless of their beliefs and backgrounds,” the commenter said.
The speaker additionally alleged a teacher used study-hall time to promote specific beliefs about gender identity, saying study hall should be for assignments and academic support rather than ideological instruction. The commenter urged immediate board action to ensure that the district protects students’ rights to hear differing viewpoints and to prevent staff from using instructional time to impose beliefs.
The transcript records the comment but does not record a response from the principal or from board members at the time. The board later moved on to new business and formal votes.
The comment raises complaints the board may choose to investigate through standard district processes (PPS, superintendent review or an appeal, depending on the allegations). No formal investigative outcome or board action addressing the allegations was recorded during this meeting.
