The Barrington Times reached out to members of the Barrington School Committee following last week’s meeting, asking for their reaction to the public comment period where more than a dozen people voiced concerns, frustrations and anger over a variety of issues. Here’s how members responded:

• Gina Bae: “I first want to state that I completely understand the eighth grade purple cluster parents' frustrations and anger regarding the awful situation with math and social studies instruction. And I know in those situations parents appeal to the school committee because they have exhausted all resources in trying to remedy the situation with administration. I know the situation has gone on far too long and hope the administration finally has a plan in place that will start to remediate the damage that has been done. I will be sure to continue to follow up on that.

“As for other comments that were expressed, I am saddened that public health measures have become politicized and divided members of our community. While public comment is a time to express opinions and offer feedback, the discourse has devolved into insults and offensive language, such as "You all look ridiculous in your masks." I understand that it has been a difficult two years for everyone — we are all exhausted and frustrated, and yearn for a return to normalcy. But I hope that when members of the public are offering their comments and feedback, they also understand that members on the committee are members of this community too — we live, work and raise our own children (all members have/had children in the district) right alongside everyone else. I hope, down the line, as restrictions are eased and the pandemic becomes endemic, the community is able to begin the more difficult work of healing the divide and having decent conversation with each other.”

• Megan Douglas: “Regarding the mask choice comments, I fully understand the frustration at this point in the pandemic. As a primary care doctor, I am done, too. We’ve been consistent in our plans to keep the students and staff as safe as possible. At the original re-entry forums with the community and staff in August 2020, many people were upset that we were re-opening and thought we would be causing irreparable harm then. But the district developed a solid re-entry plan and opened, more fully and consistently than many nearby districts. The district has adjusted the plan over time based on the guidelines, and now, with new CDC guidance, we have the new set of protocols that incorporates mask choice. 

“The separate issue of the purple cluster teaching loss is also understandably frustrating. As a school committee, we can ask for change and accountability from the district. I’m cautiously optimistic that things will be better for the students now, and through the spring, and the district has developed a clearer plan for next year to ensure this doesn’t happen again. But that doesn’t take away the anger over the inconsistency of the last months. 

“I think there is a lot of misunderstanding about the vaccine mandate and booster MOA. I’d like to see that clarified going forward.”

• Patrick McCrann: “It’s hard, this last meeting drove home how many different stakeholder groups have concerns” about issues involving the schools or the school committee, he said. Mr. McCrann said the comments have not involved a single issue, rather a wide variety of topics. He said that many are based in decisions or actions by the school committee.

Mr. McCrann has been surprised a bit by the level of emotion — anger, mostly — shown by some people during the public comment periods. Some residents and parents have sworn at the committee, and some have shouted insults. Other speakers have been more respectful, he said. 

“While we don’t have to be liked, we have to be respected,” he said, adding that how the school committee has conducted its business has, in his opinion, led to some of the anger or frustration.

Mr. McCrann said that he wants members of the public to know that he is available to speak about issues. He said people can email him (mccrannp@barringtonschools.org) with questions or concerns. 

“I try to make myself available,” he said. “You have to start somewhere.”

• Erika Sevetson: “First of all, I completely agree with the eighth grade purple cluster parents who are angry about their children’s math experience. For students to be without a reliable teacher for this long is inexcusable: my daughter was in a similar situation at BMS several years ago, and I was one of the parents pleading with the school committee to do something. I was impressed then with how quickly things got turned around once a solution was in place, and I’m very thankful to Mr. (Bob) Marley and the other teachers who are working to resolve this now. I’m asking the administration to provide us with regular updates, and I hope that the parents will continue to communicate how things are going. 

“I had hoped that Barrington would be spared the angry meetings that we’ve been seeing around the country, so of course it saddens me that this level of discourse has come to our town. I was asked to go on the record about the updated COVID-19 protocols, so here it is: I support the district’s revised guidance. I know there were some community members who wanted all protocols lifted, but I think it’s important that we adopt this nuanced approach, which allows for additional measures in the event of another surge, or reduced measures as conditions (hopefully) improve. I also support the District’s COVID-19 Policy, which gives the superintendent the authority to make modifications to the back-to-school plan and its underlying protocols without these needing to be approved by the committee. The layered approach that we continue to utilize is how we’ve been able to keep our students in school, with few interruptions, since Fall 2020. 

“I also find it ironic that those same parents who were most vocal in advocating for mask-optional policies found it acceptable to criticize the committee and administration for continuing to wear our own masks, and I hope that students who choose to remain masked starting next week will not feel pressured to justify or alter their choices. 

“Finally, in case it’s not obvious, I’m not going to resign. We have a lot of important work to do this year across multiple domains, and I look forward to returning to our work on diversity and inclusion, facilities planning, and of course the annual budget process. I was elected to a four-year term, and I intend to keep doing my job.”

• Amanda Regino Basse did not respond to a request for comments.