Climate Becomes A Permanent Part of Every School Board Agenda
At the June 25, 2019 meeting of the Windham South East School Union BCS director Kurt Daims proposed an advisory resolution to include climate crisis in every regular meeting of the school directors. One person spoke against the resolution, and after an enthusiastic debate – and an added amendment – the resolution was approved.
The entire resolution as passed reads: “Require the School Board to include, in regular meetings, discussion on climate crisis, and to make purchasing decisions through the lens of the hidden environmental, racial, social, and equity costs that may arise.”
The BCS resolution has resulted in the creation of a committee, the “Climate Crisis Task Force”. BCS volunteer and Brattleboro activist Django Grace helped to form the Committee, and served as a member during its inaugural phase.
The chairperson of the school board, Christina Naylor, believes that the committee is in compliance with the resolution. It has great strategic value, although it does not provide as much public participation or expedite the approval process the way the agenda item is intended to do. BCS is working to make sure that the agenda item occurs at every meeting regardless of whether the Task Force has referred any specific items, and that Climate Crisis items brought to the Board will have a full-Board airing and public comment and debate period before referral to the committee.
Watch the 12-minute discussion and debate below:
BCS Climate Resolution at WSESD Mtg June 25 2019
“In a time when political cynicism is at an all-time high, it is great to see young citizens active and engaged in their communities. James, Rio and others in the Youth Vote movement have been doing the hard work of knocking doors and gathering signatures in support of youth participation in their local town meeting. With the dedication, determination and commitment of this group I expect they will get the 400 signatures required to put the Youth Vote Amendment on the ballot and I am hopeful local citizens will support it when they vote. Engaging youth in local decisions is a great way to instill a commitment to their community, bring in new ideas and energy, and to recognize the value they add to the region.”
– Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman
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