To the Editor:

On March 12, 2018, at the Haywood County School Board meeting, Dr. Bill Nolte, interim superintendent, spoke to the board about the planned walkout of students related to the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. Dr. Nolte emphasized that the event was not a political statement and was being organized in order to give students the opportunity to express themselves in honor of the victims in a safe environment. We were in the room that evening and that commitment of our school board and district staff made us proud. The student organizers were working closely with school administration to make sure the events were inclusive, focused on the issue of school security, in honor of the victims and nonpartisan. The fact that the students were putting into action the best ideals of civic engagement and peaceful demonstration was palpable proof that their public education was instilling in them the best aspects of American democracy. As we drove home, we discussed this opportunity for hands-on civics and felt proud of the partnership that would ultimately strengthen and protect our community. We thought, this is what it means to be American. 

The students at Tuscola, and presumably elsewhere in the district, took this effort upon themselves because they wanted to find a constructive way to do something in response to an incomprehensible tragedy. They saw a national issue and it felt personal enough for them to act. Unfortunately, inclement weather intervened, and those activities were canceled, but the students understood and worked instead to figure out how they could honor the victims and advocate for the safety of all students going forward.

Now imagine the surprise and profound disappointment we felt in reading the March 20 letter posted on the Haywood County School website from Dr. Nolte in which he not only undermined the students’ efforts by suggesting they were being manipulated by a “tool being applied to promote political agendas” but also invoking religious “divine intervention” that disrupted the students’ expression of grief and concern for their collective safety. These student leaders faced, at minimum, distinct social risk in organizing, and did so by working closely and productively with school administration. The students were living, in perhaps the very best way, the peaceful civic engagement and involved citizenry that their teachers ask of them, and that HCS espouses to achieve to assure the development of “well-informed, productive citizens for the future … reflective of a commitment to family and community involvement, high expectations for all students, and caring and child-centered schools.” Nolte’s statement counters that vision and sends the message that disengagement is what is really valued by the school system. What an incredibly disheartening message to send to the students, faculty, and staff. 

Dr. Brandon & Angeline Schwab

Waynesville