Open Letter to the Granby Board of Education,
We urge the Granby Public Schools to delay making any changes to school policies or operations based on the Title IX final rules published by the U.S. Department of Education in April of this year.
As you may know, ongoing legal challenges and a recent significant change to judicial review standards for administrative rules have created a compliance environment that is in considerable limbo. Five federal judges have issued preliminary injunctions, temporarily delaying the effect and enforcement of these rules in fifteen states. One of these injunctions also covers members of three national organizations in any state and includes some schools in Connecticut. Additionally, several lawsuits are still pending, which could lead to the enforcement of the Title IX rules being enjoined in more states. Most consequentially, the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo will ultimately lead to the nullification of several administrative rules that exceed statutory authority. This decision puts the new Title IX rule in extreme legal peril.
Given the legal uncertainties and the potential for further judicial review, it would be prudent to hold off on implementing any changes within the district until the legal landscape is more settled.
Delaying action will help ensure that the district avoids unnecessary complications and potential conflicts with federal rulings. Additionally, delaying action will help the district avoid the costs of implementing policy changes that may soon become obsolete. We believe it is in the best interest of our students, faculty, and community to wait for more definitive guidance before making any adjustments based on the new Title IX rules.
In addition, we would ask that you urgently review district policies that rely on interpretations of Title IX that are not yet implemented. Specifically, please consider whether the Connecticut athletic policy that categorizes high school sports by gender identity rather than sex is required by the current regulations or even the regulations due to take effect on August 1st. The athletics portion of the new Title IX rule was so controversial it was separated out and has now been moved to a “long-term action” with no further action expected in the next year. (HigherEdDive) The CT policy should be rolled back until federal action is taken.
Our District should also reconsider the assertion by the CIAC that their policy is required by state law. The text of the Connecticut statute they cite, C.G.S. §10-15c(a), does not speak to sports categories at all nor does it resolve the inherent conflict created when trying to provide protection on the basis of two distinct classifications. When it comes to sex and gender identity in sports, you have to choose. You can protect the boy who wants to take a spot on a girls’ team based on his “gender identity” or you can protect the girl for whom that spot was designated based on her “sex”. You cannot do both. A question of such import should not be decided or assumed by the CIAC.
Several school districts and the CIAC have already been sued by female athletes harmed by this policy. Our district should carefully and independently determine what is actually required by law. Upending 50+ years of norms without a clear statutory mandate to do so puts our school district and our female students at unnecessary risk.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We trust you will consider this suggestion carefully and we look forward to any updates you may provide on the district’s approach to this issue.
Sincerely,
Bill & Susan Regan
We urge the Granby Public Schools to delay making any changes to school policies or operations based on the Title IX final rules published by the U.S. Department of Education in April of this year.
As you may know, ongoing legal challenges and a recent significant change to judicial review standards for administrative rules have created a compliance environment that is in considerable limbo. Five federal judges have issued preliminary injunctions, temporarily delaying the effect and enforcement of these rules in fifteen states. One of these injunctions also covers members of three national organizations in any state and includes some schools in Connecticut. Additionally, several lawsuits are still pending, which could lead to the enforcement of the Title IX rules being enjoined in more states. Most consequentially, the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo will ultimately lead to the nullification of several administrative rules that exceed statutory authority. This decision puts the new Title IX rule in extreme legal peril.
Given the legal uncertainties and the potential for further judicial review, it would be prudent to hold off on implementing any changes within the district until the legal landscape is more settled.
Delaying action will help ensure that the district avoids unnecessary complications and potential conflicts with federal rulings. Additionally, delaying action will help the district avoid the costs of implementing policy changes that may soon become obsolete. We believe it is in the best interest of our students, faculty, and community to wait for more definitive guidance before making any adjustments based on the new Title IX rules.
In addition, we would ask that you urgently review district policies that rely on interpretations of Title IX that are not yet implemented. Specifically, please consider whether the Connecticut athletic policy that categorizes high school sports by gender identity rather than sex is required by the current regulations or even the regulations due to take effect on August 1st. The athletics portion of the new Title IX rule was so controversial it was separated out and has now been moved to a “long-term action” with no further action expected in the next year. (HigherEdDive) The CT policy should be rolled back until federal action is taken.
Our District should also reconsider the assertion by the CIAC that their policy is required by state law. The text of the Connecticut statute they cite, C.G.S. §10-15c(a), does not speak to sports categories at all nor does it resolve the inherent conflict created when trying to provide protection on the basis of two distinct classifications. When it comes to sex and gender identity in sports, you have to choose. You can protect the boy who wants to take a spot on a girls’ team based on his “gender identity” or you can protect the girl for whom that spot was designated based on her “sex”. You cannot do both. A question of such import should not be decided or assumed by the CIAC.
Several school districts and the CIAC have already been sued by female athletes harmed by this policy. Our district should carefully and independently determine what is actually required by law. Upending 50+ years of norms without a clear statutory mandate to do so puts our school district and our female students at unnecessary risk.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We trust you will consider this suggestion carefully and we look forward to any updates you may provide on the district’s approach to this issue.
Sincerely,
Bill & Susan Regan
I attended the "Pizza and Policy" event with State Senator Lisa Seminara at the Iron Horse Pizzeria on August 14.
On July 12, 2024, I sent an email to the Granby BOE, Supt. Cheri Burke, Granby Town Manager Mike Walsh and First Selectman Mark Fiorentino about lockable phone cases. I believe that this is an appropriate solution to avoid the distraction that cell phones bring to the classroom and assure that teachers have attendees' full attention to the subject matter at hand. There has been no response from the BOE or Supt. Burke thus far and Susan will bring up the subject at the September 4, 2024, BOE meeting during the public session.
This should be a serious consideration for GRANBY school children. Cell phones are distracting, they are unnecessary and even if there is an emergency that can be handled through the school office or if absolutely needed can be retrieved on an as needed basis. I would like to see a public meeting for discussion of this because I know if I bring it up at a BOE meeting it won’t be discussed or I’ll be told it’s not on the agenda. Or I will not get any feedback or discussion on it. I’ll get the usual disinterested body language. I think parents need to have an opportunity to voice their opinion on it.
This should be a serious consideration for GRANBY school children. Cell phones are distracting, they are unnecessary and even if there is an emergency that can be handled through the school office or if absolutely needed can be retrieved on an as needed basis. I would like to see a public meeting for discussion of this because I know if I bring it up at a BOE meeting it won’t be discussed or I’ll be told it’s not on the agenda. Or I will not get any feedback or discussion on it. I’ll get the usual disinterested body language. I think parents need to have an opportunity to voice their opinion on it.
Letters to the Editor Granby Drummer— July/August 2024
| June 29, 2024
Thoughts on DEI
Diversity/Equity/Inclusion (DEI) is destructive, excessive, and indoctrination. This letter is addressed to The Granby Drummer Editor, but there are certain Granby departments/administrations that should be on notice. DEI is not actually practiced (hypocrisy) by those who preach it, provides cover for those who have committed unwanted or unapproved actions, nor would it guarantee optimum results in filling open positions or business hires. It’s a “free pass” policy that applies to certain segments of our Granby population while shutting out prospective candidates—that’s not inclusion.
Further, I do not see Granby departments focusing on putting out bids to a divergent group of businesses run by Black/Brown/Hispanic owners and if they did, would they choose one of them as the hired hand even if they had a higher bid number?
According to an article published June 12, 2024 by the Daily Caller, “President Joe Biden’s goal of building half a million electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the United States by 2030 is being delayed by DEI requirements, according to documents and statements obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.”
Susan Patricelli Regan
Issues continue with Granby’s school system
By Susan Patricelli-Regan | June 29, 2024
My husband, Bill, and I attended the June 5, 2024 BOE meeting, and I spoke during the public session segment.
Michael Kramarenko followed me with his comments. He referenced the ongoing bullying that occurs among middle school students. The issue was submitted to Mrs. Okenquist, a middle school teacher, but nothing has been done about it despite several parents’ reports of concern.
Kramarenko was told by one of the BOE members that night that he was not allowed to mention anyone by name during public commentary—we do not know if this is a standard rule, or one simply created by the Granby BOE. If it is not a standard rule, it is, as I have stated before, a patronizing rebuke to a parent who contributes to the salaries of administration employees.
Kramarenko also stated that students are being allowed to call teachers by their first names or even nicknames, something that parents find disrespectful. Additionally, there are shop and tech/ec classes that occur apparently without teachers and are mostly study halls. Students are receiving grades. How does this occur and why?
Further there is considerable swearing in class by students, and teachers are allowing this type of disruption to continue without reprimand. We, the taxpayers, are not comfortable with nor wish to have this “wokie/fokie”/loosey-goosey environment to continue. We do not pay taxes to have students subjected to eight hours of mayhem and potential risk to the character and safety of every child.
Kramarenko also said there has been no notification of the summer school program. He recommends that this information should be “hard mailed” (USPS), not sent by email to assure receipt by all parents.
In summary, we believe that we are not getting the quality of leadership expected by parents and taxpayers in Granby. “Let Kindness Ripple” does not meet a standard of messaging based on what we observed on June 5.
| June 29, 2024
Thoughts on DEI
Diversity/Equity/Inclusion (DEI) is destructive, excessive, and indoctrination. This letter is addressed to The Granby Drummer Editor, but there are certain Granby departments/administrations that should be on notice. DEI is not actually practiced (hypocrisy) by those who preach it, provides cover for those who have committed unwanted or unapproved actions, nor would it guarantee optimum results in filling open positions or business hires. It’s a “free pass” policy that applies to certain segments of our Granby population while shutting out prospective candidates—that’s not inclusion.
Further, I do not see Granby departments focusing on putting out bids to a divergent group of businesses run by Black/Brown/Hispanic owners and if they did, would they choose one of them as the hired hand even if they had a higher bid number?
According to an article published June 12, 2024 by the Daily Caller, “President Joe Biden’s goal of building half a million electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the United States by 2030 is being delayed by DEI requirements, according to documents and statements obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.”
Susan Patricelli Regan
Issues continue with Granby’s school system
By Susan Patricelli-Regan | June 29, 2024
My husband, Bill, and I attended the June 5, 2024 BOE meeting, and I spoke during the public session segment.
Michael Kramarenko followed me with his comments. He referenced the ongoing bullying that occurs among middle school students. The issue was submitted to Mrs. Okenquist, a middle school teacher, but nothing has been done about it despite several parents’ reports of concern.
Kramarenko was told by one of the BOE members that night that he was not allowed to mention anyone by name during public commentary—we do not know if this is a standard rule, or one simply created by the Granby BOE. If it is not a standard rule, it is, as I have stated before, a patronizing rebuke to a parent who contributes to the salaries of administration employees.
Kramarenko also stated that students are being allowed to call teachers by their first names or even nicknames, something that parents find disrespectful. Additionally, there are shop and tech/ec classes that occur apparently without teachers and are mostly study halls. Students are receiving grades. How does this occur and why?
Further there is considerable swearing in class by students, and teachers are allowing this type of disruption to continue without reprimand. We, the taxpayers, are not comfortable with nor wish to have this “wokie/fokie”/loosey-goosey environment to continue. We do not pay taxes to have students subjected to eight hours of mayhem and potential risk to the character and safety of every child.
Kramarenko also said there has been no notification of the summer school program. He recommends that this information should be “hard mailed” (USPS), not sent by email to assure receipt by all parents.
In summary, we believe that we are not getting the quality of leadership expected by parents and taxpayers in Granby. “Let Kindness Ripple” does not meet a standard of messaging based on what we observed on June 5.
I am submitting this article as I believe that there are teachers who may feel that they are being compromised when it comes to their personal beliefs and BOE State statutes and laws relative to educational mandates. Jobs, career paths and families' futures often are at risk when parents and teachers challenge the systems.
Teachers are parents too and this article provides recommendations to address this conundrum. What is interesting is that this article was published online in 2018 prior to COVID challenges.
The current level of controversy between parents and BOE's vision, locally and nationally relevant to academia and curricula in educational institutions, has severely escalated. Perhaps it may help to mitigate the riff that is affecting the benefits of teaching in our school systems.
Let us not be selfish, but brave. We are all "We the People" and we all love our children - parents, grandparents, caregivers, legislatures and representatives. Our children will thank us for it because they do not like discord, but
rather a familiar routine and rational discipline.
Susan Patricelli Regan
TEACHERS: What to Do When You Disagree with State Education Standards
by Rachel Tuchin, September 2018 Study.com
As teachers, it's not unusual to disagree with a standard you are expected to teach. While it may be tempting to find ways to avoid teaching the standard altogether, doing so could have disastrous results for your career.
Teaching to State Standards Isn't Always EasyAs teachers, it happens as we go through our years sometimes moving between grade levels, schools, and even states that we come across standards we are expected to teach, but just don't agree with. Sometimes you disagree with state standards because it conflicts with your own religious beliefs, such as the teaching of evolution. Other times you may feel the standards are developmentally inappropriate for the students in your classroom. Whatever the basis for your grievance, it's better to find ways to communicate it than simply doing what you want in your classroom.
Talk to Your Administrators. It's tempting sometimes when you happen across standards you disagree with to simply skip over and not teach them. If you chose to do so, you would be rolling the dice to see whether you will get caught and if there will be professional consequences. In my professional career, I have known my fair share of teachers who have tried it and inevitably they get caught. When you disagree with a standard, it is far better for you to be honest and get it out in the open. The consequences can be disastrous for you professionally and personally if you chose to defy the standards and elected not to teach one.
The best place to begin is by having a conversation with your administrator. In many schools, there is a teacher or administrator who manages the curriculum for the school. They would be the first person you need to talk to when you realize you disagree with a standard you are expected to teach. Explain the standard you have an issue with and be prepared to justify your reasoning. For example, if you disagree with a standard because you feel it is academically inappropriate for your students, you will want to come prepared with test scores, writing samples, and anything other relevant documentation.
In situations like this, odds are your administrator will be understanding if you come clean to them. If you have classes of students who test below grade level in math, then it may be unreasonable for them to learn some of the current standards. Odds are, you are not the first teacher who felt that way and nor will you be the last. For example, there are many teachers who feel the Common Core standards are beyond the average student. Other times, it may be a middle school science teacher who feels a standard in chemistry is far beyond the ability of students in her classroom. So, if you feel this way, talk about it because odds are you are not alone. Your administrator may give you permission to modify or skip a standard you disagree with if you get ahead of the issue and ask first.
Talk to Your State Department of Education if you feel like you are getting nowhere with your administrators in regard to standards you disagree with, the next logical step is to speak to your state's department of education. Every state periodically reviews and revises its state educational standards. Typically, the state begins the process of revising content standards with a survey of educators to get feedback. The department of education will then convene a committee made up of content experts and teachers who look at the survey results and come up with a proposal for new standards or revisions to be made to existing standards.
Once the committee has a proposal, there is typically a lengthy review process where teachers, schools, and sometimes even parents are given an opportunity to weigh in revisions before they are formally adopted by the state. So if you have disagreements with a standard, you want to make sure you express your concerns. While you can wait around for a survey, there is nothing wrong with writing a letter articulately expressing your issues with the standards you are expected to teach. Those comments will be collected and handed to a committee of experts the next time your content standards undergo revision.
Be Prepared to Teach Them Anyway Sometimes you can talk to administrators and get out of teaching certain standards. However, be prepared for the reality that you may be stuck teaching it anyway. Take for example evolutionary theory. In terms of standards teachers disagree with, biology standards related to evolution seem to be ones that make the news the most often. Depending on your own religious beliefs, you may strongly disagree with the idea and not want to teach it in your classroom. However, the reality of your situation is that you probably don't have a choice in whether you teach the standard or not.
You have to accept that when you sign on to be a teacher because of the unique nature of the job. While we retain our right to freedom of speech outside of the classroom in our private lives, the freedom in our classrooms is not the same. Courts have consistently upheld schools and school districts' right to control the content being taught in the classroom from the standards themselves to reading lists. For example, you may have whatever religious beliefs you wish outside of the classroom. Within the school walls, however, you are legally obligated to teach whatever content you are told. So, for a teacher, if you strongly disagree with teaching a standard you may find yourself in a situation where you have to choose between teaching a standard or keeping your job.
When You Disagree with a Standard There will be times when you disagree with a standard in your teaching career. Sometimes you encounter standards that conflict with your own beliefs, while other times you may disagree with a standard because you feel it is developmentally inappropriate for the students in your classroom. However, as teachers, we have to live with the reality that in our jobs we don't typically have flexibility with the content we teach. So, while you can have conversations with your administrators and even the state department of education on standards you disagree with, prepare yourself because odds are you will have to teach it anyway.
Teachers are parents too and this article provides recommendations to address this conundrum. What is interesting is that this article was published online in 2018 prior to COVID challenges.
The current level of controversy between parents and BOE's vision, locally and nationally relevant to academia and curricula in educational institutions, has severely escalated. Perhaps it may help to mitigate the riff that is affecting the benefits of teaching in our school systems.
Let us not be selfish, but brave. We are all "We the People" and we all love our children - parents, grandparents, caregivers, legislatures and representatives. Our children will thank us for it because they do not like discord, but
rather a familiar routine and rational discipline.
Susan Patricelli Regan
TEACHERS: What to Do When You Disagree with State Education Standards
by Rachel Tuchin, September 2018 Study.com
As teachers, it's not unusual to disagree with a standard you are expected to teach. While it may be tempting to find ways to avoid teaching the standard altogether, doing so could have disastrous results for your career.
Teaching to State Standards Isn't Always EasyAs teachers, it happens as we go through our years sometimes moving between grade levels, schools, and even states that we come across standards we are expected to teach, but just don't agree with. Sometimes you disagree with state standards because it conflicts with your own religious beliefs, such as the teaching of evolution. Other times you may feel the standards are developmentally inappropriate for the students in your classroom. Whatever the basis for your grievance, it's better to find ways to communicate it than simply doing what you want in your classroom.
Talk to Your Administrators. It's tempting sometimes when you happen across standards you disagree with to simply skip over and not teach them. If you chose to do so, you would be rolling the dice to see whether you will get caught and if there will be professional consequences. In my professional career, I have known my fair share of teachers who have tried it and inevitably they get caught. When you disagree with a standard, it is far better for you to be honest and get it out in the open. The consequences can be disastrous for you professionally and personally if you chose to defy the standards and elected not to teach one.
The best place to begin is by having a conversation with your administrator. In many schools, there is a teacher or administrator who manages the curriculum for the school. They would be the first person you need to talk to when you realize you disagree with a standard you are expected to teach. Explain the standard you have an issue with and be prepared to justify your reasoning. For example, if you disagree with a standard because you feel it is academically inappropriate for your students, you will want to come prepared with test scores, writing samples, and anything other relevant documentation.
In situations like this, odds are your administrator will be understanding if you come clean to them. If you have classes of students who test below grade level in math, then it may be unreasonable for them to learn some of the current standards. Odds are, you are not the first teacher who felt that way and nor will you be the last. For example, there are many teachers who feel the Common Core standards are beyond the average student. Other times, it may be a middle school science teacher who feels a standard in chemistry is far beyond the ability of students in her classroom. So, if you feel this way, talk about it because odds are you are not alone. Your administrator may give you permission to modify or skip a standard you disagree with if you get ahead of the issue and ask first.
Talk to Your State Department of Education if you feel like you are getting nowhere with your administrators in regard to standards you disagree with, the next logical step is to speak to your state's department of education. Every state periodically reviews and revises its state educational standards. Typically, the state begins the process of revising content standards with a survey of educators to get feedback. The department of education will then convene a committee made up of content experts and teachers who look at the survey results and come up with a proposal for new standards or revisions to be made to existing standards.
Once the committee has a proposal, there is typically a lengthy review process where teachers, schools, and sometimes even parents are given an opportunity to weigh in revisions before they are formally adopted by the state. So if you have disagreements with a standard, you want to make sure you express your concerns. While you can wait around for a survey, there is nothing wrong with writing a letter articulately expressing your issues with the standards you are expected to teach. Those comments will be collected and handed to a committee of experts the next time your content standards undergo revision.
Be Prepared to Teach Them Anyway Sometimes you can talk to administrators and get out of teaching certain standards. However, be prepared for the reality that you may be stuck teaching it anyway. Take for example evolutionary theory. In terms of standards teachers disagree with, biology standards related to evolution seem to be ones that make the news the most often. Depending on your own religious beliefs, you may strongly disagree with the idea and not want to teach it in your classroom. However, the reality of your situation is that you probably don't have a choice in whether you teach the standard or not.
You have to accept that when you sign on to be a teacher because of the unique nature of the job. While we retain our right to freedom of speech outside of the classroom in our private lives, the freedom in our classrooms is not the same. Courts have consistently upheld schools and school districts' right to control the content being taught in the classroom from the standards themselves to reading lists. For example, you may have whatever religious beliefs you wish outside of the classroom. Within the school walls, however, you are legally obligated to teach whatever content you are told. So, for a teacher, if you strongly disagree with teaching a standard you may find yourself in a situation where you have to choose between teaching a standard or keeping your job.
When You Disagree with a Standard There will be times when you disagree with a standard in your teaching career. Sometimes you encounter standards that conflict with your own beliefs, while other times you may disagree with a standard because you feel it is developmentally inappropriate for the students in your classroom. However, as teachers, we have to live with the reality that in our jobs we don't typically have flexibility with the content we teach. So, while you can have conversations with your administrators and even the state department of education on standards you disagree with, prepare yourself because odds are you will have to teach it anyway.
Foxfield F.A.R.M. is a non-profit organization that provides an equestrian and farm-oriented instructional program for Veterans and First Responders who suffer from PTSD. Susan and her husband, Bill, have been donating duck eggs to the Community Kitchen for the past three years. This year they raised six White Breasted Turkeys and have now just donated four of the butchered (by Sabas of Bloomfield, CT) birds to the Community along with their usual duck eggs and have now also added Black Star Chicken eggs as well to their regular contribution. The turkeys ranged at a butchered status of 21-30 lbs. The Regans are dedicated to a "We the People '' mission whether it be from a political position to support parents' authoritative and constitutional rights or contributing to the welfare of local and Statewide citizens who have been suffering fiscal and mental challenges over the past few years. You can contact Foxfield F.A.R.M. via its website: www.foxfieldrecoverymission.org for further information.
Sandy's well-oiled organization has been operating for 15 years with hundreds of dedicated volunteers who assist in providing free dinners in a companionship atmosphere every Wednesday night. No questions asked - just a welcoming venue to all who face the issues of loneliness and financial hardship in Granby and surrounding communities.
Sandy's well-oiled organization has been operating for 15 years with hundreds of dedicated volunteers who assist in providing free dinners in a companionship atmosphere every Wednesday night. No questions asked - just a welcoming venue to all who face the issues of loneliness and financial hardship in Granby and surrounding communities.