Suncoast Jewish Alliance in Action
Empowering Communities
We are a charitable organization committed to empowering underprivileged communities through education and sustainable development. Our programs are designed to provide access to quality education, clean water, and healthcare to those who need it most. We believe that by investing in the future of these communities, we can create a better world for all.
Action Alert to Alliance Members
Dear Alliance Members
The Suncoast Jewish Alliance stands with our community partners in opposition to changes being proposed by the Sarasota County School Board related to discrimination and protected classes in existing school policies. As Jews we are one of the existing protected classes. We fear that this change will send the wrong message to students and staff. If the proposed changes are adopted, it will indicate that our School Board is moving away from its long commitment and history of protecting religious and other minorities within our schools. Norman Olshansky, President
On June 17th
On June 17th, the Sarasota County School Board held a workshop to discuss changes to the Student Code of Conduct that would dramatically weaken protections for religious and other previously protected groups. Despite hearing directly from families, educators, and community members about the harm these changes would cause, the district is still moving forward. And it comes at the worst possible time – when marginalized youth already face rising rates of bullying and isolation, and when school staff are begging for more clarity, not less.
What Research Shows
Research shows that policies that clearly list protected characteristics like race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, veteran or military status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation are far more effective in preventing harassment and improving school climate.
We’re calling on Sarasota residents to take action now.
Action You Can Take Right Now
Please write to the Sarasota County School Board in opposition to proposed changes to Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment, Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Procedures, and Educational Equity policies. You may adapt and send this email to Sarasota County School Board members and Terry Connor, the Superintendent.
To: Superintendent Connor and Members of the School Board schoolboardmembers@sarasotacountyschools.net terry.connor@sarasotacountyschools.net
Re: Proposed Policy Revisions
Dear School Board Officials
Please do not revise these School Board policies: 2.71-Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment 2.71A-Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Procedures 2.73-Educational Equity The proposed changes to these policies would weaken student and staff protections and increase the likelihood of harm coming to currently protected minority groups. Ironically the Florida state statute has increased protections for students against antisemitism and does not remove protection for religious groups because it is understood that it needs to be spelled out. We, in Sarasota County should not be moving in the opposite direction. Evidence shows that students and staff are better protected when there is specificity regarding harassment of particular groups rather than vague generalities The Sarasota School District must not operate out of fear anticipating possible flipflops in federal policy, but must operate out of concern for what is best to protect our students and staff from harassment. Maurene Comey, an experienced prosecutor, warned, subsequent to her firing from the Department of Justice, that “fear may seep into the decisions of those who remain” and that “Fear is the tool of a tyrant, wielded to suppress independent thought.” When people resist rather than cave, that resistance spreads. We have learned from Holocaust Education that going along, to get along leads to the empowerment of dictators. We need to stand up for what’s right for our children. Justice is not for sale. Sincerely, Your full name Your city, Florida
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