BYRON, Minn. – Loosely conceived and poorly thought-through Byron School District policies tripped up and embarrassed the School Board. All had been going well until Russia invaded Ukraine in the harshest military campaign since World War II. Some Byron teachers saw this as a “learning moment.” But a principal said: “No. You can’t get into politics. You can’t take sides.” The principal pointed to District Policy 950: “The school district will maintain neutrality as to all political candidates and issues.” But, asked the teachers, “What about the District motto? Byron Public Schools: ‘A community of learners committed to making the world a better place.’”  The polarization came to a head at a School Board meeting. Two teachers explained how the situation in Ukraine is not a political issue but a humanitarian crisis. Let students and staff “stand on the right side of history,” one said. There were no news reporters in attendance, but this is what can be pieced together of what happened;

> Teacher 1: “When I came to this district I was blown away with the commitment by our schools, our students, and our community to lead with compassion and kindness. Over my years we have upheld those values and demonstrated them time and time again.” Now, she said, students and staff want to show solidarity and support for Ukraine but are being told not to due to Policy 950. Please, she asked the Board, review the policy to “allow our staff and students to stand on the right side of history.”

>Teacher 2: He also asked for the policy to be reviewed. He cited a recent unanimous vote by the Y.S. Senate that condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin as a war criminal and asked when the last time the U.S. Senate unanimously agreed on anything.

Both teachers were applauded but not by Board members. They adjourned and did nothing.