'Free From Hate': Danvers Schools Support Immigrant, LGBT, Transgender Students

DANVERS, MA — Danvers Superintendent Dan Bauer issued a statement backing the importance of diversity, and belonging, and expressing support for immigrant, LGBTQ, nonbinary and transgender students amid changing federal policies and executive orders of the past month.

Bauer read the statement during Monday night's School Committee meeting in which he said Danvers Public Schools aim to provide an environment that is "free from hate" and
"safe for all" — welcoming to all students regardless of economic and racial background, as well as sexual identity.

"We stand strongly against any discriminatory practices that may impact any child's sense of belonging," Bauer said. "These include rhetoric and actions that target immigrant, transgender, nonbinary, and LGBTQ members of our community. Not only is this a duty fundamental to our profession as educators, it is the law."

Bauer said Danvers Public Schools will uphold its legal responsibility to "create an environment free of discrimination and respect the dignity of every child and every staff member."

"Together, we can uphold every child's right to a free and public education," Bauer said, "every child's right to an education free of harassment and every child's right to an education free of discrimination."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)