Montgomery County Board of Education President Karla Silvestre told U.S. Congressmembers Tuesday that her board “is committed to combatting antisemitism, hate speech and racism wherever and whenever we see it.”
She acknowledged that no teacher has been fired for uttering antisemitic remarks, posting hate on social media or teaching biased facts, but said that some teachers have been disciplined.
Silvestre, like the chancellor of the New York City Schools and the superintendent of the Berkley, California, United School District, who were subpoenaed to testify, stressed that they couldn’t discuss individual cases or punishments.
As a row of photographers captured her every move, Silvestre told members of the Committee on Education and the Workforce that she understands they are “aware of recent press reports and public complaints about antisemitic imagery, language and vandalism in our district.”
She added, “Let me be clear. We do not shy away from imposing consequences for hate-based behavior, including antisemitism.”
Committee members grilled New York City Chancellor David Banks and Berkley’s Emikia Ford Morthel and tended to go much easier on Silvestre.
When asked to supply a simple yes or no, Silvestre testified that “yes,” Israel has a right to exist, and “yes” Hamas’ attack on Israel was terrorism. She also agreed that hate in all its forms can be fought simultaneously.
“Teaching and learning is the bread and butter of what we know how to do,” Silvestre told committee members, adding that all teachers and staff will receive hate-based training this summer.
She explained that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is working with outside partners for better cultural expertise, noting, “We want to get it right, and these community groups will help us get it right.”
When pressed, Silvestre agreed that MCPS could do a better job in letting victims of hate learn what happens after they have reported an incident. While personnel matters are private, administrators “are working on improving communications,” she said.
Rep. Aaron Bean, (R-Fla.), chairman of the committee, said the three school officials “represent some of the largest public school districts that have allowed vile antisemitism to spread unchecked. Now, thousands of Jewish students in their districts fear riding the bus in the morning, wearing their kippah to school or just eating and breathing as a Jewish student.”
During the two-hour hearing, Jewish Community Relations Council Associate Director Guila Franklin Siegel listened to the testimony in an overflow room.
She praised Chanceller Banks for not shying away from speaking of Jews and antisemitism without constantly bringing up all other types of hate. “That is a contrast to what we see in Montgomery County.”
“I thought it (the hearing) did highlight some persistent problems that need attention,” she said, including the “need for greater transparency in the discipline process.”
Currently, “Trust in the school system is severely compromised” and students “cannot have any sense of comfort,” Franklin Siegel said.
Three MCPS students also watched the testimony from the overflow room.
Darci Rochkind, a Bethesda-Chevy Chase High senior, said the rhetoric among students and teachers is highly charged and often incorrect. She has been told that Zionists are trying to take over the world, she said. But when she replied that Israel had returned the Sinai to Egypt, “They were shocked.”
Rachel Barold, a sophomore at Whitman High, said that whenever students complain, “We’ve been repeatedly ignored.” Her mother was told to advise her daughter not to speak with the media or she would be “sanctioned.”
Kennedy High 11th grader Kobie Talmoud called the atmosphere at his school “toxic,” filled with drugs, fights and hate speech. “People don’t know what they are saying,” he noted. One teacher told him the Jews killed Jesus.
He reports all incidents to the school administration, but nothing ever happens, he said.
