The Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Administration, Jennifer Bradshaw, recently resigned according to a recent press release from the Smithtown Central School District. Her resignation had been revealed previously from sources within the district. The embroiled Bradshaw had become a target board lately as, according to some parents, she headed controversial programs and initiatives within the district. During the most recent election for Board of Education Trustees, the discourse came to a head, where some third-party groups called for her resignation.
During the election, some parents became concerned with the role of the equity committee and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training, as well as educational resources emanating both from within and outside of the district. The controversy is ongoing. Bradshaw was the key figure in these initiatives and thus faced the bulk of the criticism from parents. The race even received attention from the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association, joined by their Nassau counterpart, which called for an end to anti-police education.
Proponents of such pedagogies, of which former SCSD alumni are included, say that these more culturally conscious methods benefit all students, especially students of color.
Detractors of such methods claim the educational model now used is influenced by Critical Race Theory, a Marxist-derived social framework. Furthermore, they claim using this lens, instead of a traditional liberal one, serves to foster division by perpetuating harmful racial animus.
In the district’s statement, Superintendent Dr. Mark Secaur stated “Dr. Jen Bradshaw has notified the district that she has accepted a position working as an international curriculum consultant in the WLSA Foundation network. We wish her well and thank her for her 19 years of committed service to the Smithtown school community.”
With Bradshaw’s departure, it remains to be seen who will replace her on the equity committee and if certain initiatives fostered under her tenure will continue.
Bradshaw was not immediately available for comment.
This is an ongoing story with updates to follow.
