Mashpee school committee submits placeholder article to form 'Mashpee Cares' town committee amid debate over ADL branding

The Mashpee School Committee voted unanimously July 1 to submit a placeholder department article to the select board seeking establishment of a townwide "Mashpee Cares" committee, marking the start of a town-level effort to coordinate responses to incidents of hate, bullying and other social issues.

The motion, made by Miss Lewis and approved without recorded opposition, asks the select board to consider a committee that would include town officials, school representatives, a tribal designee, police and fire representation, students, parents and members at large. Committee members said the draft is intentionally broad and will be revised after consultation with the select board and legal counsel.

Committee members described the placeholder as a way to meet the July 8 deadline for department warrant articles while leaving room to refine membership and the committee charge. The draft lists objectives such as promoting diversity, equity and inclusion; advising the select board; responding to incidents of racism, bigotry, bullying and hatred; sponsoring educational activities; and "designate the town of Mashpee as a No Place for Hate community, or take other appropriate actions."

Dan Cerman, sitting in for Marie Stevenson of the Mashpee Inclusion and Diversity Committee, told the school committee that the proposed town committee overlaps substantially with the existing inclusion-and-diversity group and urged coordination: "I can't see the town supporting two committees," he said, urging the groups to compare charges and avoid duplication.

Members acknowledged that some community members object to the Anti-Defamation League's "No Place for Hate" branding and that resurrecting the earlier local "Mashpee Cares" committee might be a less-branded umbrella. The record shows discussion of criticism of the ADL over past statements and programmatic choices; the committee said those community concerns would factor into naming and training decisions.

Next steps: committee members agreed to reach out to the select board and the town manager's office to request records about the prior Mashpee Cares committee (established in earlier years) and to present a final draft for the October 2024 town meeting warrant if the select board chooses to sponsor it. The chair and staff will also coordinate with town counsel to ensure the article's language and charge are clear.

The committee set an internal schedule to continue drafting the article and indicated the placeholder will be open to amendment on the town meeting floor if necessary.