The Croton-Harmon Board of Education convened for its first regular meeting of 2025 on January 9, facing a packed agenda that included clarifications on policy development, updates on contract negotiations, and a robust discussion on district climate and inclusivity. Board President used the opening portion of the meeting to address recent public concerns regarding the scheduling of an ad hoc committee meeting held during the winter break. The committee, tasked with reviewing proposed Equity and Social Media policies, met at 7:30 a.m. on a Friday, a move that some residents criticized as an attempt to discourage public participation. "To the contrary, I can assure you that was not the case," the Board President said. "The meeting... was scheduled to ensure that the members of the ad hoc committee and the administrators were able to coordinate many schedules to find the time that all could be available during a very busy season." {{quote:300}} The President emphasized that no policies were adopted during that early morning session. Instead, they will undergo standard procedure, including a first and second reading, allowing for full public scrutiny before a vote is cast. The meeting also touched on the ongoing negotiations between the district administration and the Croton-Harmon Union of Teachers (CHUT). Reminding the community that the board acts as an oversight body, the President stated, "Negotiations are between the union representing those employees and the district through its administrators... the board will not make any statements about those negotiations." {{quote:450}} **Public Comments Focus on Hate Speech** The majority of the public portion of the meeting was dedicated to the issue of anti-Semitism in schools. Representatives from "PASA" (Parents Against School Anti-Semitism), a local grassroots organization, outlined a series of recommendations for the board. Michelle, a resident and founder of PASA, acknowledged steps already taken by the district, including education for faculty on the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) definition of anti-Semitism. However, she urged the board to codify this definition into official policy. "We also want to remind you of the PASA recommendations," Michelle said. "The first one is... to adopt the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism and incorporate this into district policies and codes of conduct." {{quote:530}} Alison Samuels, a professor and co-founder of PASA, highlighted the importance of curriculum and critical thinking. She argued that adopting the definition is not about limiting speech, but about preparing students for the real world. "I personally found that once students graduate it's really important for them to understand the definitions," Samuels said. "The IHRA definition does not limit discussion... it allows [for] students to be equipped so when they go get out into the real world they're not inadvertently discriminating [against] somebody." {{quote:680}} **A Personal Plea** The comments concluded with an emotional address from Eric Weinberg, a 10-year resident of Croton and the grandson of Holocaust survivors. Weinberg spoke about the changing climate of safety for Jewish families, citing FBI data that shows Jews are the most frequent victims of religiously motivated hate crimes in the United States. "Until recently I always felt safe in this country, until October 7th," Weinberg said. "Unfortunately both of my children have experienced moments of both subtle and elite anti-Semitism in our community." {{quote:830}} Weinberg expressed his support for PASA’s four recommendations, which also included creating comprehensive systems for reporting discrimination and ensuring diverse perspectives are involved in policy decisions. **Looking Ahead** Following the public comments, the board moved into discussions regarding regionalization, a topic that has been on the district's radar. Superintendent Walker was set to lead the board conversation on the potential impacts and benefits of sharing services or consolidating with neighboring districts. As the district moves into the spring semester, the board will continue its review of the Equity and Social Media policies, with further readings expected in the coming months. Administration is also expected to roll out a communication clarifying the distinct roles of the board versus the superintendent in district operations by the end of the month.