By Guy Page
A Franklin County school board meeting October 1 drew a large crowd as parents and residents voiced sharply differing views over LGBTQ+ and diversity themes in area schools.
The comments were prompted in part by a September 16 VDC news article headlined Parent challenges LGBTQ, BLM hallway messaging at elementary school. The parent, Jarrod Vaillancourt, and his wife both attended and addressed the school board. So did others who agreed with them. As one commenter noted, the article sparked a movement within the Franklin Northeast Supervisory Union (FNESU) community. Parents subsequently created a group where they can voice their concerns and seek to affect change, and credit must be given to some very motivated mothers.
At the October 1 board meeting of the Northern Mountain Valley Union Unified School District (NMVUUSD), part of the larger Franklin Northeast Supervisory Union, some parents expressed fear of speaking out against these issues, for fear that their children will pay a price, or that there will be a penalty for practicing free speech. A second stated that their five-year-old cannot read, but they know about pride month; another noting that the labeling of children is the problem.
Opinions from those in support of current school practices included making claims of widespread racism within the community. One community member stated, “The reality is, is that racism runs deep in our community”. Another stated, “Post the Trump election they were told that they have no value”, and yet another urged the school board to not sign-on to the current Washington administration’s DEI and anti-pride bigotry.
Vaillancourt said there were VT State Troopers in attendance. “I assume that they were there at the request of the school board and/or school administration. In my opinion, this further displays a misuse of our tax dollars, while simultaneously appearing to send a message to community members that they may not be trusted,” he said.
The meeting opened at 6:35 p.m., with the chair welcoming the packed audience and laying out expectations for respectful public comment. “We understand that our community holds diverse viewpoints,” she said. “All comments tonight should focus on constructive dialogue rather than personal attacks.” Each speaker was allotted two minutes.
Criticism of school leadership and DEI programs
Vaillancourt expressed frustration with district leadership and curriculum priorities. “Parents are tired of the empty rhetoric and gaslighting we’ve gotten from this school administration,” he said. “We’re tired of the outright promotion of gender ideology in our schools… tired of critical race theory, and tired of anti-racist policies, which is just another way of saying racism.” Vaillancourt argued that despite increased spending, “our children continue to be well below proficiency,” adding that the education system “has grown larger, more expensive, and the educational results have gotten worse.”
Call for empathy and acknowledgment of racism
Caroline Elander, a Berkshire resident and longtime parent volunteer, said her family’s experience reflected both the strengths and shortcomings of the local schools. “We have never seen or heard about any staff or teachers trying to push an agenda,” she said. “What we have seen is teachers encouraging kids to think for themselves.”
However, she said her family was forced to withdraw their daughter in eighth grade “because of racism from other students.” Elander urged the board to “open a conversation about the many different backgrounds, cultures, and ways of living that make up our broader world.”
Opposition to federal DEI policies
Pat Farmer encouraged the board to reject what he described as federal overreach. “I would like to urge the board not to sign on to the current Washington administration’s DEI and anti-bias bigotry,” Farmer said, adding, “Don’t deny knowledge to any student just because somebody else thinks it’s wrong. Let people judge for themselves.”
Concerns over classroom materials and displays
Laura Bolan said some parents “fear speaking out” about what she called “disrespect for parents’ rights regarding their children’s health and wellness.” She cited pride-themed decorations and Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) materials displayed near young students as examples. “Our concerns are stemming from the stickers, flyers, and decorative boards supporting GSA and pride symbols in our schools,” Bolan said. “Parents are concerned this is happening without our knowledge. What else are we missing?”
Defense of inclusion
Emily Grims, a speech pathologist and Berkshire parent, said schools have a duty to teach respect and inclusion under state and federal law. “Preparing students for the real world means acknowledging and reflecting the world as it is,” she said. “Teaching respect for all is teaching civic responsibility.”
Grims said the controversy over a bulletin board with a rainbow design had been overblown. “The core message literally only says, ‘All are welcome here.’ That’s inclusive and universal. I see no problem with that.”
Testimony from LGBTQ/disabled families
Sarah Stewart, a Berkshire resident, said her child, who is disabled, biracial, and transgender, had faced repeated bullying. “Racism does actively exist in our community, as does homophobia, transphobia, and disrespect of disabled people,” she said. Stewart said her child “was physically attacked, verbally attacked… told they have no value.” She urged residents to “find ways to unify and support each other” rather than divide.
Accounts of racial bullying
One mother said her daughter was told by another student that “she couldn’t play tetherball because she’s Black.” She said the family eventually left Montgomery because of repeated racial harassment. “Kids in our community are being hurt right now because of the color of their skin and their gender identity,” she said. “Where is the concern for the mental health of these kids before more are hurt?”
The mother urged empathy across divides. “If you see me as a walking agenda, then you might see me as a threat,” she said. “But I care about your children, too.”
Concerns about age-appropriateness
Emily Cuddy questioned whether pride-themed messages were suitable for very young students. “My 5-year-old cannot read, but he does know what Pride Month is,” she said. “That is sexualizing children. School is learning — reading, science, and math — not that.” Cuddy also said parents should have been notified about “a pride assembly in the school gym.”
Plea for unity and discipline
The final speaker, Michelle Valent, said she had not planned to speak but felt compelled after hearing others’ experiences. “It all boils down to a disciplinary issue,” Valent said. “All of our students are equal… and it breaks my heart to hear that anyone is being hurt. The label is not the issue. The label is the problem.”