Photo: David Rodriguez Munoz ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
ANN ARBOR, Jan. 18, 2024 ~ At the end of a five-hour meeting that saw intense debate, the Ann Arbor Public School Board approved a resolution calling for a bilateral cease-fire between Israel and Gaza.
After over 100 community members voiced their support or disapproval of the resolution, four board trustees voted in favor of the resolution, one voted against it, and two others abstained from voting. In addition to supporting a cease-fire, the resolution also calls for the release of all hostages and provides resources to encourage educators to facilitate “educational dialogue” with students about the ongoing conflict.
Hamas killed about 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7, and Israeli military forces have killed over 24,600 Palestinians in Gaza since.
PODCAST:
Jan. 18, 2024 ~ Ben Mainka, Novi Community School District superintendent, shares his thoughts on the Ann Arbor School Board‘s decision to call for a cease-fire in Gaza, and tells Chris Renwick his district supports all students but tries not to weigh in on divisive issues.
(CONTINUED) Many speakers argued this geopolitical issue exceeds the school board’s jurisdiction, while others said it was important for the board to address rising hate speech in the schools and to facilitate respectful discussions on Israel and Palestine. Among the trustees who voted for the resolution were Board President Rima Mohammad, who is Palestinian, and Jeff Gaynor, who is Jewish. Gaynor said students should be heard during this conflict and that it impacts many in the district’s community.
The school board’s vote came a week after the Ann Arbor City Council passed its own resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.
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