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Boston Globe
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Trump's anti-DEI orders were halted in court, but politicians in N.H. are still putting pressure on schools
Advertisement 'That is not the New Hampshire way,' said Get N.H. Morning Report A weekday newsletter delivering the N.H. news you need to know right to your inbox. Enter Email Sign Up Republicans, who hold comfortable majorities in both legislative chambers, included the proposed DEI ban in the House-passed version of the state budget, which is now pending before the Senate. Those who support the sweeping state-level ban — which would apply to all executive branch agencies and every municipal government statewide — said they are aiming to curb waste and fulfill the public's wishes. 'The people of New Hampshire do not want to be using their taxpayer dollars to subsidize or in any way pay for any trainings or programs or preferential treatment that puts somebody's demographic information as the deciding factor in whether that individual is hired or chosen,' said Republican Representative Joseph F. Sweeney, deputy majority leader in the New Hampshire House. 'We should be blind to any demographic data when it comes to workforce training or an initiative to hire people.' Advertisement Beyond banning diversity quotas, this legislation would tell public schools they cannot 'implement, promote, or otherwise engage in any DEI-related initiatives, programs, training, or policies.' The proposal says 'DEI' refers to 'any program, policy, training, or initiative that classifies individuals based on race, sex, ethnicity, or other group characteristics for the purpose of achieving demographic outcomes, rather than treating individuals equally under the law.' What exactly such a ban might mean in practice depends on who gets to interpret and enforce it, as evidenced by recent DEI disputes between state leaders and school administrators. Victoria L. Sullivan, a first-term GOP state senator, complained publicly in late April about training materials at Manchester's McLaughlin Middle School, where a packet intended to help teachers navigate dicey conversations was instead distributed directly to eighth-graders. The packet included specific examples of racist stereotypes and microaggressions to avoid, such as telling an Asian person, 'You're all good at math,' or asking a Black person, 'Why do you have to be so loud/animated?' It also featured Sullivan, who declined The Boston Globe's interview requests, posted photos of Advertisement 'This has infiltrated all of our society,' she said on the radio, 'and in a place where we should be treating everybody equally, this does the exact opposite of that.' Jennifer Chmiel, superintendent of the Manchester School District, said the materials were intended to help teachers handle potentially wide-ranging reactions from students, but they were not written for students, so distributing them during 'That distribution was a mistake and should not have happened,' she said. 'Nevertheless, it is false to suggest that the teacher intentionally sought to indoctrinate students with these materials.' Paulina Murton, executive director of the 'Educators learning about how power and privilege show up in society is a critical component of the work to ensure that all students, regardless of identity or background, are treated fairly, feel a sense of belonging, and can have strong academic outcomes in their school,' she said. Chmiel said the documents do not constitute 'DEI materials.' Since the definition of 'DEI' is so vague, even anti-bullying efforts have been caught in the fray. In mid-March, outgoing Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut — a socially conservative former GOP gubernatorial candidate who has a track record of pressuring Advertisement Republican Governor Kelly A. Ayotte has not yet named New Hampshire Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut spoke during a Chuck Morse gubernatorial campaign kickoff event Sept. 28, 2023, at the Atkinson Resort & Country Club in Atkinson, N.H. Nathan Klima for The Boston Globe Olsen, who formerly served as school superintendent in Westford, Mass., said local leaders at the Merrimack School District had noticed a troubling uptick in inappropriate comments among students, so they hired a consultant who specializes in training on diversity and cultural sensitivity. 'She is addressing bullying and harassment between students,' he said. 'It is not DEI. It is not CRT.' Olsen said he has known the consultant for years, and her work with teachers and students has been appropriate and 'tremendously valuable,' but a local resident raised questions and relayed concerns to the commissioner. Even though Edelblut didn't explicitly ask him to halt the consultant's work, Olsen said he decided to suspend the training until there is greater clarity from state and federal authorities about what is permissible. When asked about the conversation with Olsen, a spokesperson for the New Hampshire Department of Education said Edelblut 'regularly engages with constituents and school leaders statewide to discuss a wide range of issues.' Those communications 'may also involve matters related to Title VI compliance,' the spokesperson said. Title VI is a federal law that Advertisement While some states, including Massachusetts, sued to block enforcement of this anti-DEI interpretation, New Hampshire aligned with the Trump administration. Edelblut's team directed local school leaders to certify their compliance, and the state published Nevertheless, several districts What impact the injunction might have on the New Hampshire Education Department remains unclear. Edelblut is This effort to purge certain ideas from New Hampshire classrooms echoes a still-pending legal dispute over the state's 2021 'banned concepts' law, which drew inspiration from a 'divisive concepts' executive order President Trump issued during his first term. That law, which prohibited teaching that anyone is 'inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive,' was Steven Porter can be reached at
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
British Consul General celebrates shared scout heritage at luncheon, marking 115th anniversary
This week, Scouting Boston hosted a special luncheon at the Hampshire House, where David Clay, the British Consul General to New England, was welcomed to celebrate the 115th anniversary of Scouting's founding in the U.S. The event highlighted the strong, shared history of Scouting between the United Kingdom and the United States. The gathering was hosted by Tom Kershaw, owner of the historic Beacon Street mansion, which now serves as an elegant event space. Kershaw, a longtime Scouting supporter and Eagle Scout since 1954, opened the event with a nod to the deep-rooted connection between the two nations. Consul General Clay and Scouting Boston Scout Executive John Judge reflected on Scouting's beginnings, from its 1907 founding in Britain to its arrival in the U.S. in 1910. They noted that both countries' ongoing commitment to the movement is one of the many shared values between them. 'It was in 1909 that Chicago publisher William Boyce, lost on a foggy London street, was guided by an unknown Scout,' Judge shared. 'That single act of service inspired him to bring Scouting to America, forever changing the landscape of youth development.' The luncheon also featured Kim Kulasekaran, volunteer leader of Cub Scout Pack 617 in Chinatown, who praised the positive impact of Scouting programs on Boston's youth. Kulasekaran showcased several videos of young Scouts sharing their favorite activities and what they have learned through their experiences. 'Kim's heartfelt story reminded us why Scouting is more relevant than ever—building character, fostering friendships, and connecting young people with the outdoors,' Judge said. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
