March 31, 2025 by Olivia Clemmensen (‘26)
On Thursday, March 27th, Saratoga Springs’ Board of Education held a meeting in the Teaching Auditorium of Saratoga Springs High School, with their main goal being to vote on the reinstatement of the “Affirming our Support for Every Student” resolution. Seven Board Members voted “Yes” to this resolution, while one voted “no” and one abstained. This resolution is a policy aimed to support the inclusion, dignity, and safety of all students, particularly those who are transgender and from immigrant families. While this resolution is not a new policy, it is showing the Saratoga Springs community that the Saratoga Springs School District will continue to uphold an existing policy that supports safety and inclusion for their students. By re-approving this resolution, the Saratoga Springs Board of Education is “reassuring those people [minority students in our community] that they have every right to a free, equitable and excellent public education, despite the voices from outside that might tend to make them think that they’re not” explained Board Vice President Tony Krackeler.
With the Trump Administration’s crack down on immigration, immigrant families have been anxious to send their children to school, for fear of them being questioned or even taken by the police, which has been the case in numerous states. “Several schools said they were fielding calls from worried parents about rumors that immigration agents would try to enter schools” stated AP News in an article published soon after Trump signed an executive order to allow immigration arrests at school. This resolution affirmed by the Saratoga Springs Board has and will continue to provide protection and support for these students. “Immigrant youth should not have to worry about the police coming to question them at school when they are just trying to receive an education,” said Sarah Pipino, a SSHS student speaker at Thursday’s Board of Ed. Meeting.
Additionally, the Board of Education reaffirming this resolution meant that the Saratoga Springs School District will continue to support equity for all its students, especially those of the transgender community, providing them with an inclusive school environment academically and athletically through extracurriculars. By approving this resolution, “we’re [Board of Education] sending a clear message to our trans and gender non-conforming students; that you belong at your school, we want you to come to school as yourself, play on sports teams as yourself” commented Board Member and one author of this resolution (with Trustee Amory and Trustee Lakhtakia) Matt Kopans on Thursday. “School can be challenging enough without feeling like you’re not welcome to participate in any activity you want or that school might not be a safe place for you. I am glad that we stated (really restated) clearly that we continue to be a school where everyone is welcome, safe, and where everyone can participate fully” Kopans added.
This resolution had the purpose of making it known to the Saratoga Springs community and district that Saratoga Schools support and want what is best for all their students-no matter their background or identity. “Our district’s core beliefs are rooted in equity in opportunity, collaboration, community and personalization. These core beliefs extend to all students without exception” stated SSCSD superintendent Dr. Patton.
Multiple students and members of the Saratoga community spoke during the meeting’s public comment period, one of which was transgender and SSHS sophomore Rayven Eldredge. “This resolution will hopefully send a message that we are a safe, inclusive school, and we will not stand for bigotry,” they commented in their speech. “We have a chance to do something about this, to take a step forward and stand up for what is right.”
In a constantly changing world and country, having a safe and sure place in school and in a community can mean a lot to a student. “If we as school board members by our action or inaction allow any student in our district, especially those who have been targeted, […] to think that they are not a valuable human being worthy of dignity or deserving of every educational opportunity other students have, we’re falling short. If we do so knowingly, we are falling in the most indefensible way” commented John Bruggemann, another Board member who voted yes to the resolution on the 27th. It is the Board’s responsibility to uphold SSCSD’s goals for inclusion and opportunity throughout all the district’s schools, and this resolution solidifies that. As a school district, “[supporting] the values of creating a safe, inclusive, and high-quality education for every student” is very important said Board member Connie Woytowich, “that is, and always should be, our shared goal as a board.”
For more details on this resolution, see the Board of Education’s Policy Manual.
If you want to watch March 27th’s meeting, look at this YouTube link: SSCSD BOE Meeting 3/27/2025
Photo source: youtube.com