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Taunton students ask tough questions on sexual assault and diversity at candidate forum

Taunton Daily Gazette - 10/14/2021

Oct. 13—TAUNTON — Taunton High School students put tough questions to would-be City Council and School Committee members Friday in an innovative Youth and Candidate Forum.

About 60 people attended the forum, which was co-organized by the Taunton Diversity Network and Prevention and Wellness Network.

Unlike many political forums, this one put youth voices at the center. Four student panelists spoke first. Their questions focused on sexual assault in the schools, the isolation felt by minority students, low voter turnout and a lack of diversity among Taunton teachers. After students asked their questions, emcee Kyra Fernandez gave the politicians 10 minutes to craft their answers on index cards.

The students demanded frank discussion of all forms of sexual assault, and how politicians would put an end to them.

Charlotte Post, a junior, recounted that when she was in eighth grade, a friend of hers was sexually assaulted. Post said TPS staff were not helpful in her opinion.

"[They] didn't make me or my friend feel supported or believed," Post said.

Superintendent John Cabral had not returned Gazette requests for comment at press time Tuesday.

Asked after the forum what her takeaways were, Post said the response from politicians was a step in the right direction.

"I felt I was getting the support I didn't before," she said.

Panelist Jenna Hastie, a junior, said students want to see greater awareness surrounding signs of grooming and harassment. "Grooming," in this context, is a range of manipulative behaviors pedophiles use to establishing trust and gain access to potential victims, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.

"I want you to think of your children, if you have any, if you truly hold the safety of the students at Taunton High in regard you will hear these words and stand with me in agreement that change must be implemented. How will you as the leaders of our community help to prevent sexual violence within the school district as well as support survivors?" Hastie said.

The most specific response to sexual assault in the schools came from City Council President Chris Coute. Among his jobs during his Army career, Coute took sexual assault reports. He said the Army has made strides confronting and reducing sexual assault since advocates sounded the alarm about widespread problems in the service. Coute called for a full-time coordinator for sexual assault issues in the schools. This person would create a training program that would be mandatory for all school personnel from the superintendent on down.

Another response came from City Councilor Barry Sanders.

"Those of us with privilege simply need to do better," said Sanders, calling on men, specifically. "That means listening to what peoples' experiences are. Folks like me have to do better."

Student Condoleezza Dwuye asked about the lack of diversity among teachers at Taunton Public Schools.

Statistics from the state's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education show nearly 40% of TPS students identify as non-white but only 5% of TPS staff are non-white.

"What can we do to address this?" Dwuye asked the crowd.

City Council candidate Herbert "CJ" Daye gave a passionate response, as he recalled that his own daughter did not have a minority teacher (other than Daye himself) until second grade.

"When I get into office, I will ensure that isolation for people of color or anyone that feels isolated, will be addressed and awareness will be raised," Daye said.

Panelist Borodine Chery, a senior, crystalized her experience of being a minority student at TPS. She read her poem, "It's the Start of a New Semester," which begins:

It's the start of a new semester

And I sit and stare into a sea of white faces, straight hair and braces

And I know I have friends in these places

But I can't help but feel so isolated

School Committee candidate Derek George told the panelists that he also felt that way when he was growing up in Taunton and attending TPS.

Emcee Fernandez also read questions from students who weren't able to attend, two of whom were under COVID protocols:

— Can Taunton bring back the Youth Commission or something similar?

— How can the city provide more access to recreation outside what's offered at the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club?

— What can be done to boost Taunton's low voter turnout?

School Committee Member Greg DeMelo brought his notes from 2019, when Taunton Diversity Network first held a candidates forum of this kind. DeMelo highlighted that he's hearing the same topics.

Two former superintendents, both of whom are fighting to retain their City Council seats, weighed in.

"I know what I would do. I want to know what you would do," said City Councilor Gerald Croteau, a former superintendent of Taunton Public Schools, addressing the student panel.

Cleary, who also helmed the Taunton Public Schools, said it would help voter turnout if media outlets, most notably the Gazette, did a better job covering local issues.

One candidate for the Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant Commission participated in the forum. John Gray noted that while none of the students' questions pertained to the environment, that as a commissioner he would work for a "clean energy future."

"There is a risk to every community, including this one, from climate change," Gray said.

Another innovative aspect of the event is that organizers plan to hold politicians' feet to the fire. Just as with the original Taunton Diversity Network youth forum from 2019, there will be a follow-up session, probably a year or so after the Nov. 2 election, according to organizer Kara Civale.

"It's important to follow up," Fernandez said. "We do want to hold you accountable."

Other candidates not already mentioned who participated in Friday's forum were as follows. Incumbents are noted with an (i):

School Committee:

Heather Baylies-Grigoreas

Greg DeMelo (i)

Marc Dunderdale

Christine Fagan (i)

Louis Loura

City Council:

Estele Borges

Phil Duarte (i)

Edna Isaac

Jeff Postell (i)

David Pottier (i)

Hannaford Supermarket and Kyrdino's Pizza donated food and water for the event.

The event was recorded by Taunton Cable Access & Media, and will be broadcast in the upcoming days, as well as available for streaming.

Send your news tips to reporter Chris Helms by email at CHelms@tauntongazette.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Taunton Daily Gazette.

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