We received permission to publish the following letter sent to Councilwoman Stewart. As of 7/30/23 a response has not been received. The letter provides an argument and supporting evidence for the Council to remove current BOE member Lynne Harris.
7/24/2023
Good evening, Councilwoman Stewart:
Thank you for speaking with me several nights ago at the MCCPTA Advocacy Meeting. While our conversation was polite, brief, and charged with disappointment, I still felt heard.
Thank you for being open to receiving this email.
On behalf of tens of thousands of Montgomery County residents who stand in agreement on this issue, I am asking this council to investigate and remove Montgomery County Public School Board of Education member Lynne Harris from office and condemn her hateful remarks.
Whether one supports the “Opt-Out” or not isn’t the issue. I ask this council to carefully look at the hateful and biased words that Lynne Harris has publicly used during this issue. Every other board member has maintained professional integrity except Lynne Harris, causing further division and mistrust between parents and the school system.
In the aforementioned meeting where you and I met, one of the main takeaways from the Hate & Bias Breakout Session was that MCPS leadership is defensive in how they communicate and engage with parents and schools. The MCPS approach to Hate & Bias is not working. I’m paraphrasing my understanding of the meeting’s assessment of MCPS’ regular communication style here: “Defend our position and our actions to date and talk AT parents and school staff instead of listening, learning, solving, and growing.”
It’s no wonder our schools are seeing record-high hate and bias because such things are tolerated at the top of the school system. The proverb: “A fish rots from the head down”, feels appropriate here. This council has the opportunity to stand up against hate and bias and to send a clear message about the expectations of elected officials in Montgomery County by condemning Harris’ hateful remarks. Please send the message that as one of the most diverse counties in America, we might not always agree, but we will treat everyone with respect.
While still disappointed in the remarks made by Councilwoman Mink, I appreciate and accept her public apology and I thank Councilman Glass for publicly recognizing that her statements were profoundly disappointing.
You shared with me in our chat last week that I could email you the evidence that obligates this council to act in investigating and removing Lynne Harris from office. Tens of thousands of voters are counting on it. Below is what is publicly available regarding the conduct of Lynne Harris. She is incapable of acting as a neutral advocate for all MCPS students.
- https://www.cair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MemberHarris.pdf
- https://moco360.media/2023/06/12/councilmember-mink-apologizes-to-muslim-community-for-comments-on-lgbtq-inclusive-books/
- https://moco360.media/2023/06/02/parents-students-doctors-react-to-mcps-lawsuit-targeting-lgbtqstorybooks/
- January 12th: Go to Section 5 Public Comments and fast forward to minute 38:34.
https://mcpsmd.new.swagit.com/videos/196679- Ms. Harris says that testimony on people’s beliefs is “disturbing to her”, then implies that religious beliefs are not based in reality, and finally goes on to grossly misconstrue the beliefs of some religions and how that relates to MCPS curriculum or the topic at hand.
- March 28th: Go to Section 5 Public Comments and fast forward to minute 1:46:40
https://mcpsmd.new.swagit.com/videos/222933 - April 20th: Go to Section 5 Public Comments and fast forward to minute 1:15:39
https://mcpsmd.new.swagit.com/videos/224456 - June 6th: Go to Section 5 Public Comments and fast forward to minute 1:12:49
https://mcpsmd.new.swagit.com/videos/233177- Ms. Harris appreciates Councilwoman Mink’s comments, comments that have since been apologized for. This confirms that Ms. Harris thinks that Ms. Mink’s remarks were acceptable. She further goes on to reference the Human Rights Campaign’s State of Emergency for LGTBQ citizens. Maryland is one of the most progressive and supportive states of LGTBQ rights. To bring this up as a representative of the MCPS School Board further demonstrates her bias and agenda regarding national events on this topic vs. using a local lens.
- July 20th: Go to minute 1:04:00 on the YouTube video of the meeting (minutes are not available yet on the MCPS website). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUw7mp8cXME
- Notice that Ms. Harris celebrates the courage of the students in the LGBTQ community who testified and also derogatorily describes those of faith with different beliefs on the topic.
- I will remind this council that Lynne Harris has earlier mocked and minimized a MCPS child of faith as opposed to commending her for her courage to speak up for her rights and beliefs. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtN26KcgUfL/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D
Thank you for taking the time to read, watch, process, and hopefully discuss these facts with your fellow council members. Pursuant to the statute regarding the removal of a Board Member:
The Montgomery County Council may remove a Board member for immorality, misconduct in office, incompetence, or willful neglect of duty. The member may request a hearing and have an opportunity to be heard publicly before the Montgomery County Council. The member also has the right to a de novo review of the removal by the Circuit Court of Montgomery County. Legal Reference: Section 3-901, Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland
Simply put, Ms. Harris has consistently demonstrated her inability to remain neutral and representative of all members of the MCPS community and has caused further harm and division between the public school system and the families it has a responsibility to represent. You must act.
Please know that I will be sharing this letter with the public. Thank you again for your time and I pray that this council will act.
Respectfully,
XXXXXX
