Community member urges school leaders to condemn antisemitism before budget discussions

A passionate call to action against antisemitism and bigotry dominated the Charlton Select Board meeting on April 8, 2025. A board member expressed deep frustration over the school committee's inaction regarding a previous request to publicly denounce hate and discrimination.

During the open forum, the member referenced a quote from Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, emphasizing the moral obligation of leaders to take a stand against oppression. "Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim," the member stated, urging the school committee and superintendent to demonstrate leadership by publicly opposing hate.

Despite previous discussions, the member reported that no commitments had been made by the school committee to address these issues. They warned that if the school does not take a definitive stance before the upcoming budget discussions, they would rally fellow residents to vote against any school budget. "I don't see us funding people who do not agree with our belief that this is a no place for hate community," they declared.

The member's remarks highlight a growing demand for accountability and action within the community, setting the stage for potential conflict in future budget discussions if the school leadership remains silent on this critical issue.