by Marty Green ·
Friday, March 14, 2025
The Harvard School District newsletter for March began with a response to the recent federal executive orders aimed at the LGBTQ community. In a letter to families, the leaders of the district wrote, “We want to reassure students and their families that we will continue to provide a safe and supportive environment for all.”
The letter reviewed the protections that Massachusetts state law offers, as summarized by Russell Johnston, the acting commissioner of education. Johnston cited Massachusetts General Law Chapter 76, Section 5, which bans discrimination in public schools based on race, color, sex, gender identity, national origin, or sexual orientation. And discrimination based on disability is barred by Article CXIV of the Massachusetts Constitution. “[T]his responsibility under state law is not impacted by recent executive orders at the federal level,” Johnston wrote.
The Harvard school administrators pledged to continue to speak and act in support of students. “We are fortunate to live and educate students in a state where our core values are not taken for granted but are supported by the laws,” they wrote. The letter was signed by Superintendent Linda Dwight, Assistant Superintendent Dana Labb, Director of Pupil Services Michelle DellaValle, Principal Dan Hudder, Principal Kim Murphy, and Principal Rebecca Katsh-Singer.