“Today’s announcement must be a wake-up call for school adminstrators across Westchester, namely, that parents will not stand by as their children are taught to hate America and hate one another, by viewing their fellow students as oppressors or oppressed,”
Save Our Schools (SOS) for Westchester Children Founder/CEO Angela Barone Sculti
By Dan Murphy
Whenever a Schools Superintendent tenders their resignation in October, just one month into a school year, barring a medical or other personal emergency, red flags are raised. The announcement on Oct. 2 that Lakeland Superintendent Dr. Brendan Lyons was resigning, and that his resignation was accepted by a 7-2 vote of the Board of Education has many parents and staff in the Lakeland School District asking why? Lyons was hired 14 months ago in 2020.
“This morning, the Board accepted Dr. Brendan Lyons’ resignation at a Board of Education Special Meeting. Dr. Lyons’ departure is amicable. We thank him for his service to the District and wish him much success in his future endeavors. As noted in the minutes of the District’s Annual Organizational Meeting (held on July 8, 2021), Dr. Karen Gagliardi will assume the role of Acting Superintendent of Schools until an Interim Superintendent is appointed. We anticipate that an appointment may be made as soon as the next Board of Education meeting, to be held on Thursday, October 7, 2021.
“We trust that our Lakeland community will work together to make this time of transition as seamless as possible for everyone. Our focus is, and will always be, the well-being of the children of this district. We will keep the school community informed about our decision-making as we move forward,” wrote the School Board in a joint statement.
Dr. Lyons statement reads, “It has been with great pride that I have served as your Superintendent these past 14 months, as we navigated the ups and downs of the pandemic. I couldn’t be prouder of our community working together to ensure a full return to in-person learning this September.”
“Nevertheless, I must inform you that I will be leaving Lakeland, effective September 30, to tend to family matters and pursue other opportunities. Whatever the future may hold, please remain unified in service to the children of Lakeland. I wish you all the best,” stated Lyons.
Lyons would not comment any further when asked by members of the press why he resigned. Speculation has focused on the recent debate in the Lakeland Schools over Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, DEI, education.
That speculation was confirmed to some extent when Save Our Schools for Westchester issued a release shortly after Lyons resignation.
“Save Our Schools (SOS) for Westchester Children Founder/CEO Angela Barone Sculti congratulated the parents and community of the Lakeland Central School District, upon today’s Board of Education vote of 7 to 2 to accept the immediate resignation of superintendent Dr. Brendan Lyons.
“Said Ms. Barone Sculti: “Today’s vote and announcement on the resignation of the superintendent affirms the efforts of the community members and parents who have been fighting for transparency to ensure that the children of Lakeland Central School District will not be indoctrinated. I congratulate the 1,100 district residents who signed a petition against the teaching of Critical Race Theory in all of its various forms in Lakeland.
“Regrettably, the Superintendent failed to listen to the communities’ concerns and even denied what 1,100 community members understand – that implementing a radical teaching/learning paradigm — Critical Race Theory and its multiple forms, including, among others, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education will fundamentally change how our children think, learn, and make life-changing decisions. I would also like to thank Judy McLaughlin for her courageous leadership and the Lakeland Chapter of SOS for leading the charge over the past several months to bring to light the promoton of Critical Race Theory in Lakeland Schools.
“Credit must also be given to the seven members of the Lakeland Central School District who did listen to parents’ concerns and voted for change. While SOS does not celebrate anyone losing their job, today’s announcement must be a wake-up call for school administrators across Westchester, namely, that parents will not stand by as their children are taught to hate America and hate one another, by viewing their fellow students as oppressors or oppressed. We will remain vocal in Lakeland and other communities which permit the teaching of Critical Race Theory in all of its various forms.”
Said Judy McLaughlin, Chairwoman of the Lakeland Chapter of SOS: “I want to truly thank the diverse men and women of the Lakeland Central School District community, who united to stand up against Critical Race Theory. Together, we were able to bring truth and transparency to the Lakeland Board of Education. Along every step was the tireless effort of Save Our Schools for Westchester Children founder, Angela Sculti, and the SOS Board. Together, we will be supporting the Lakeland Central School District going forward. We ask all school district communities to join the SOS team because we still have a great deal of work to do.”
When asked whether a similar effort was underway to push back on DEI education, (or CRT educaiton, depending on who you talk to) a member of SOS told us, “Yes.”
At recent School Board meetings of both the Lakeland School District and the Yorktown School District, Superintendent’s Lyons and Yorktown Superintendent Dr. Ron Hattar both said that Critical Race Theory is not being taught in their schools.
No response yet from members of the Lakeland education community who had supported Dr. Lyons and DEI training, nor do we yet know who were the two dissenting members on the Lakeland Board of Education who voted no to accept Lyons resignation.
