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To the editor – As a “frequent flier” at Essex Westford School District (EWSD) board meetings, I never cease to be amazed at the inability for this board to think critically. They’d rather attach themselves to a bandwagon not even considering where that wagon may take them.
Case in point: they deliberated at least 15 minutes of Tuesday night’s meeting over a letter of solidarity to be sent to the Winooski School District. The verbatim text follows:
Date: January 8, 2025 – The Essex Westford School District (EWSD) writes to express our firm solidarity with the Winooski School District following the detention of a second-grade student and his mother by federal immigration authorities.
We commend Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria’s rapid, compassionate response in mobilizing community resources and legal aid, which demonstrates a remarkable commitment to student safety and dignity. Winooski’s decision to stand firm against backlash after raising a Somali flag visibly affirmed that these students and families are valued members of the school community.
As a district, EWSD approaches equity by recognizing and redressing the impact of systemic oppression and histories of marginalization. We believe Winooski’s actions embody the “intentional intervention” required to create educational equity. By choosing to stand against xenophobia, Winooski has upheld the principle that schools must be places of refuge and unconditional care.
We believe this leadership is essential to ensure that no student’s sense of belonging is eroded by external hostility. Therefore, EWSD pledges our full support to the Winooski School District. We stand ready to collaborate on statewide efforts to amplify the message of inclusion and to advocate for the safety and dignity of all Vermont students. We join Winooski in urging all authorities to prioritize the safe and swift reunification of separated families, acknowledging the severe emotional and educational consequences these actions impose on our children. With respect and solidarity, The Essex Westford School Board
I must laugh at the date posted at the top of the letter. Are they clairvoyant? They knew about this 363 days ago?
All mirth aside, it is inappropriate for a non-partisan school board to express solidarity on a purely political stance established by another district. It is also inadvisable for a school board to promote violation of US law as well as offering “safety” for those defying US law. However, it is not without forethought as EWSD states in its policy F-P2:
The Essex Westford School District is committed to protecting our students’ rights, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment free of barriers to the education of each student, regardless of a child’s or family member’s immigration status.
On Tuesday night, January 6, the commitment to DEI was strong including a statement by the board vice-chair that “these people” opposing the raising of the Somali flag in Winooski did not understand DEI.. This vice-chair insinuated that “these people” are ill-informed. (This is not the first time I’ve heard denigration of ideas that oppose those of the board’s.)
Before this board, or any other board, attaches itself to the current bandwagon I would ask them to consider another side to this issue. Many immigrants and refugees have fled oppression in their country of origin. They do not hold fond memories of their life under that country’s flag. They fled to the United States of America. Are we contributing to a reliving of their oppression by flying their flag? In my opinion, they fled to America. Let’s welcome those who are here legally and embrace them with the American flag. Let’s help them assimilate and become productive members of this society. Can they still celebrate many of their customs? Yes. But our public schools are AMERICAN schools, not international schools. Until we unite under one flag and one flag only, these fractious issues will divide us. “One nation, under God, INDIVISABLE, with liberty and justice FOR ALL.” (Emphasis added by the author.) – Lynn Smith, Essex
To the Editor – Perhaps a solution agreeable to both the right and left is this:
1 – Completely open borders for all who come. (The left’s desire.)
2 – No access to any Federal dollars for any new immigrant or their children – housing, medical, or any other need.
3 – No vote for any new immigrants or their children.
4 – An immigrant’s grandchildren become American citizens, with all associated citizen’s rights, including the vote.
This will avoid many of the negatives Republicans worry about while significantly reducing the immigrant influx due to the removal of free American tax dollars to support them – perhaps even functioning better than a wall.
To address the Right’s safety concerns:
1 – Immigrants committing crimes will be deported on the spot.
2 – The immediate and extended families who accompanied them will place tremendous pressure on them not to do so due to the resulting financial loss.
These steps should help ensure most are honest, working people who do not desire to live off the state – the kind the right says they desire.
-Jeb Smith, West Pawlet
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Categories: Opinion
The VPA requires my children’s school athletic director read a statement prior to every game to the crowd basically saying the same thing. Rest assured EWSD is walking in lockstep with partisan organizations like VSBA, VPA, VSA, the NEA and AFT which work diligently to ensure only like minded individuals “serve” on our local school boards thereby ensuring the preservation and enhancement of their power and control.
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How about we simply cease from turning a blind eye to flagrant violations to the already extant, congressionally approved, and sensibly conceived immigration laws of the USA?
Illegal immigration is unlawful and such illegal acts are deleterious in numerous respects to this country – unwarranted proclamations of “xenophobia” by extremists have absolutely nothing to do with it.
Virtually every single sovereign nation around the globe retains and enforces immigration laws & practices, and I remain perpetually unclear as to why the USA should be viewed as contemptable for possessing and expressing the same.
It’s all very simple. We are a nation of laws. Learn to follow them.
Great commentary Lynn. Thank you!
To all VDC commenters –
As stated since late 2025, in 2026 all commenters must be Sustaining Subscribers.
Most regular commenters already are Sustaining Subscribers. To you we say THANK YOU!, you are the reason why 2025 was another record year for views on http://www.vermontdailychronicle.com: 2.6 million. Again, thank you so much.
A Sustaining Subscriber is someone who from November 1 – January 1 made an annual contribution of $108, either by check or online, or who became an online $9/monthly contributor before January 1.
Also, since January 2025 we have been (albeit gradually) enforcing our policy of requiring full names for all commenters. The latter is meant to promote transparency and genuine discourse. The former is an economic decision intended to enhance the longterm sustainability of VDC.
Both of these policies will take full effect this coming week. As non-subscribers and commenters not using their full names (first initial, full last name not preferred but will be accepted) will not be permitted to comment, full stop. We have allowed a week or more in order to ensure that late arrivals of 2025 contributions and procrastinators are accounted for. This week, the online giving link will be updated for 2026, with $11/month and $132/year.
Please note: if you are not yet a Sustaining Subscriber, please subscribe immediately online. Or send a check to VDC, P.O. Box 1547, Montpelier VT 05601 and email us at news@vermontdailychronicle.com that a check is coming.
VDC readers who are not Sustaining Subscribers still have several outlets for expressing their opinions. VDC remains free to read to all subscribers, including those who subscribe with pseudonyms or anonymously, and on our Facebook and X pages. Commenting on all news and commentary is free on the VDC Facebook and X pages. Also, all readers using their full names are invited to submit letters to the editor and commentaries for consideration, at no cost.
If you have any questions, please email me at news@vermontdailychronicle.com. Thank you for your attention to this matter,
Guy Page, Publisher