On Dec. 12, the Hernando County School Board met for their regular monthly meeting. As usual, the Board met in the afternoon for their Board Workshop Meeting, concluding prior to the evening Board Meeting, where items on the Agenda were to be voted on. At the workshop meeting, Board Member Mark Johnson proposed a Proclamation for the Board to discuss and vote on at the Board Meeting. Johnson proposed a Proclamation in support of Israel. A majority of Board Members voiced opposition, claiming it was a political and controversial issue and the Board and the District should NOT affirm any Proclamation in favor of supporting Israel. Anti Semitism is not political or controversial, it is blatantly evil and egregiously unjustifiable.
Prior to Dec. 12, Johnson submitted a proposal and sample Proclamation in support of Israel for inclusion on the upcoming Board Meeting Agenda. The Agenda is compiled by the Superintendent, with the assistance of key administrators, and presented to the School Board for discussion and a vote. Board Members and department heads may also submit items for inclusion on the Agenda.
The Superintendent, John Stratton, did notify the other four Board Members of Johnson’s proposal for a Proclamation in support of Israel. However, no Proclamation in support of Israel was included on the Agenda and so Johnson brought it up at the Board Workshop.
What a Shame, What a Disgrace
Our Country publicly and explicitly supports Israel and publicly and explicitly condemns the terrorists that attacked Israel, killed, tortured, raped, and took innocent people as hostages. The terrorists that attacked Israel not only want to destroy Israel but wipe out all Jews. This is antisemitism in the extreme.
Florida openly supports Israel. All five Hernando County Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of a County Proclamation in support of Israel. The County Commission affirmed its support for Israel. Jews in this Country, as well as in other countries, are facing alarming antisemitism and, in some instances, violence and threats of violence. Jews in Hernando County have and do greatly support and contribute to our County and communities, and our schools. We must show our support.
Antisemitism is like a plague surging across our college campuses and our streets. Antisemitic protests are reappearing everywhere. Where is our outcry against antisemitism?
The School District and the School Board must not allow antisemitism to get a foothold in our public schools. It must take a stand and that starts with passing a Proclamation in support of Israel.
Arlene Glantz, Esq., a Jew and Wife of Mark Johnson
