Teachers’ association president defends grading practices; resident urges caution on social media and urges voter outreach

During the public-comment period at the Jan. 5 reorganization meeting, Danielle Green, president of the Milburn Education Association, addressed recent remarks about high school grading practices and defended the district’s teachers.

"The claim that teachers are not embracing the reassessment policy is simply inaccurate," Green said, stating that administrators and teachers have worked to give students opportunities for corrections and to demonstrate learning and growth rather than merely earning points. She added that teachers “value students as individuals” and urged that staff be spoken about with accuracy and respect.

Shortly after, resident Jeffrey Feld urged the board to be mindful of recent appellate-division opinions and court cases concerning open meetings and officials’ social media postings. Feld noted a recent court opinion emphasizing robust civic participation and warned the board about potential sanctions in cases involving conduct he described as crossing the line. He also raised a procedural civic-engagement point: a new law effective Jan. 1 allows some 17-year-olds who will turn 18 by the general election to vote in the upcoming primary; Feld urged outreach to eligible high school students.

The chair reminded speakers that public comments are limited to three minutes and said that responses to questions and comments would be posted on the district website within 10 school days. The board proceeded to other items and adjourned later in the meeting.