Update on Demand Jessica Cambareri's Resignation from BCSD BOE Petition

Thank you to everyone who signed the petition to-date. There is an update following the 9/9/20 BOE meeting we'd like to share. Before we do that, we'd like to address one of the posted comments on this petition.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and in fact we agree with them. All well taken (a sample here) "I signed this petition because Jessica Cambareri’s words were not okay at all, and she deserves to be punished for insensitive comments. However, whoever wrote this petition’s description is missing the point completely...Finally, ending the statement with “All Lives Matter”, really? That phrase has so much weight right now and you know it." We've removed the all lives matter reference and agree that there are more underserved communities that need a champion as Rebecca Kornblau suggested. Thank you!

Ms. Cambareri's comments regarding BOCES students were, in fact, discriminatory against many populations in our community. The fact that the board is not representative, supported and praised Ms. Cambareri's excuse (not an apology) for what she said is emblematic of the board's inability to govern and lead in modern times. BCSD SEPTO suggests that the board use Ms. Cambareri's seat to appoint or elect one of our underserved communities in the District. Her comments suggested that the collection of BOCES students are less deserving of respect and safety than others.

Collette Dow's remarks following Ms. Cambareri's non-apology was: "I hope if I ever have the unfortunate circumstance of misspeaking, that perhaps I am taken at my word when I say I did not intend to offend anyone." Ms. Dow's statement is a slap in the face to parents of those with disabilities and all of our underserved communities at BCSD. The fact that the chair of the BOE could not rise above politics and take the brave route is deeply concerning. Please continue to join us on our journey. Thanks for your support and feedback. Open to the dialogue on behalf of our students.