Divisive issues at center of local school board races

Capital Region (WRGB) — It was a busy Tuesday across the Capital Region as it relates to the future of our area schools.

This year, school budgets have almost taken a back seat to school board races, which have become politically charged at an unusual level.

Multiple factors have set this year apart and local candidates have been called out by the community to weigh in on divisive issues. one of those issues being Critical Race Theory (CRT).

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At recent 'meet the candidates' events, those running in both Schenectady and Bethlehem were asked for their stance on CRT being taught in schools.

My view and understanding is that in New York State, it's not even an issue right now, so I don't think it's anything we really have to touch on because critical race theory is not anything involved in the New York State curriculum,” said Bethlehem School Board candidate John Walston at that recent event.

“In my opinion, critical race theory is a joke, to ignore historical facts and not educate everybody on historical facts is very ignorant and very dangerous for a school district to do,” said Emily Willey-Aulet, a candidate for Schenectady’s School Board.

Also new to this year's races is the question of if local political groups have had an influence.

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The same total group of Schenectady and Bethlehem candidates were also asked if they had received endorsements from any Republican or Democratic committees.

Some refused to answer that question, with one from Schenectady citing it as "political bait." Others however decided to take that so-called bait:

"I have not received direct funding from the Bethlehem Republican Committee, but I have received funding from members of the committee, along with many other community members in our town,” said Bethlehem School Board candidate Douglas Lloyd.

Taking a different approach, Schenectady School Board candidate Vivian Parsons declined to answer that part of the question.

Despite the influx of national political issues, The Capital Region has generally had calm school board races when compared to other areas of the country.