Chatham Students Criticize Board, Renew Anti-Racism Demands

CHATHAM—Current and former Chatham students renewed a demand for an anti-racism element in the curriculum, with some criticizing the school board and angering its president.

"We received nine emails," said Chatham Board of Education President Jill Critchley Weber, on Monday. "One called the board 'ignorant' one called the board 'racist.' And my favorite, someone went on to call the volunteers on the board 'lazy.'"

The attacks were a response to unhappiness with the current instruction in Chatham and calls for more to be done to combat racism in the borough. The issue stems primarily from a board meeting in July, when three former students listed demands, including the hiring of 20 percent teachers of color by 2026. Several residents also spoke in support of the demands at the meeting.

Chatham Superintendent Michael LaSusa said there is currently an anti-racism facet to the curriculum, but that the school system is always looking to upgrade. He added that there are more tools available for the schools now than in the past.

"Every year we try to get better," said LaSusa. "There's more updated scholarship in this area that just didn't exist five years ago."

Still, the board insisted that personal attacks and name-calling were not the way to get such an important issue resolved.

"At the very least, it's insulting," said Weber, "and the best, it's not constructive."