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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 4, 2020 04:14 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Anthony H. Williams |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Removal of School Board Director for Publicly Expressing Hatred |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation which requires the immediate removal of school board directors who publicly denigrate and harass people on the basis of their skin color, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation. Recently, a school board director in my district was observed at a Black Lives Matter counter-protest shouting racial epithets while brandishing a confederate battle flag. Describing her behavior as “grotesque,” parents, students and educators in my district are furiously demanding her removal from the board of directors – over 6,000 have signed on online petition calling for her resignation. While such behavior from any public official is reprehensible, it is especially egregious for someone tasked with overseeing the education of over 3,000 students. Under current law, there is no immediate recourse available for parents, taxpayers and voters to hold this school board member accountable for her actions. Though her conduct failed to reach the level required for impeachment, it nonetheless reflects poorly on both herself and the school district. My legislation would require that, after a reasonable investigation is conducted by remainder of the board, a school director is found to have publicly made racist, sexist, homophobic or otherwise bigoted remarks, that their service be immediately terminated. Concerned parents and students should not have to wait until the next election to address this kind of hate directed toward themselves and their peers. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. Questions or concerns may be addressed to my legislative office at 717-787-5970. Thank you. |