The latest Bensalem Township school board meeting was a major “win” for student athletes and extracurricular activity participants alike.
Previously, during its August meeting, the board approved a “Return to Play” health and safety plan, which prohibited spectators from attending games, and volunteers from assisting with sports and activities.
The latter was a hot-button issue for board member Stephanie Ferrandez, who questioned how groups like the volunteer-led robotics team could function under these guidelines.
“Even though we’re going full virtual, those opportunities, some of them may be possible,” she said. “We need to give some guidance.”
While Ferrandez proposed an amendment to the plan that would allow volunteers on-site if they’re crucial to an activity’s operations, it was ultimately shot down by the rest of the board.
However, during the Sept. 23 meeting, her fight came to fruition. A modification was approved that permits volunteers on school property if they’re vital to the team/club/activity, and they must comply with all safety protocols of the district.
Additionally, it was agreed that spectators will be allowed to watch games in the gymnasium and stadium with some restrictions, however, this was later rescinded due to state mandates.
Also during its August meeting, board member Vanessa Woods proposed the creation of a diversity and inclusion committee, which would address any existing racism in the district, and create an employee training program centered on equity, among other initiatives. On Sept. 23, it was announced that Ferrandez and fellow board members Michelle Benitez and Eric Price were appointed to the committee.
While Woods expressed excitement over the committee moving forward, she was “extremely disappointed in how it was handled,” and addressed board president Kim Rivera directly.
“Not only were you less than enthusiastic when I first brought this to the board, but during this entire process of creating a formation of this committee, there was a lot of confusion and chaos that ensued before getting on the agenda tonight,” Woods said. “I am truly hoping that moving forward, we are able to do better for our community by continuing with such an important initiative.”
Rivera defended herself, stating she was enthusiastic about the project and considered becoming a member. She added that Woods’ words prior to the meeting made her feel “threatened.”
“You actually told me that if it’s not on the agenda, that there’s gonna be an issue about it,” Rivera said. “You said that the community would be very disappointed if this wasn’t on the agenda.”
Woods stood by her words. She also wasn’t pleased that Rivera brought in an outside consultant to lead the initiative, and that the board’s meeting with him wasn’t made public. Several of Woods’ peers seemed to side with her.
“There was no reason at all to have that conversation in a bubble,” chimed in board member Rachel Fingles, adding that the selection of the consultant should’ve been done by the newly formed committee, and that input should be gathered from more than one individual. “This was not done well. This was not done right. This is something that’s very avoidable.”
Ferrandez took issue with Rivera’s use of the word “threatened.”
“When women of color express their emotions, express their opinions in an assertive manner, all of a sudden they’re threatening. Vanessa’s sitting over here as the ‘angry black woman,’ ” Ferrandez said. “This committee has people on it who know what it is like to not feel diversity, to not feel included, whose children sit in these schools and sometimes feel that way. So, I think this committee is well-equipped to move forward, to begin these discussions, and to determine what consultants are necessary, keeping the taxpayer dollar in mind.”
Rivera chose to drop the matter and speak with Woods in private.
“I’m tired of people humiliating other people, disrespecting other people. I’ve had it,” Rivera said. “It’s disheartening and, quite frankly, sickening.”
Regarding COVID-19 and the availability of a hybrid option, superintendent Dr. Sam Lee said the plan is to offer in-person instruction beginning Nov. 16. A letter and survey for parents to fill out was slated to be mailed that week. A formal evaluation of the COVID-19 situation is to take place Oct. 9.
There was an overwhelming cry of support to return to school in the public comments submitted. Several parents described how their children’s emotional well-being is deteriorating, while others said they would’ve put their child in a private or Catholic school if they knew sooner that hybrid wouldn’t be available until November.
Fingles took a moment to thank the teachers, who she said have taken a lot of heat because of the board’s decision.
“The burden that we have tasked them with is an impossible one to meet, and they are doing the absolute best they can,” she said. “There are some teachers in this district who wake up at 6 a.m. and go to bed at midnight, and they work from the time they wake up until the time they go to bed. They want your kids to know that they matter. So many teachers are providing more than two hours a day.”
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
