Elmsford School District addresses elimination of DEI director role

An Elmsford school board meeting on Wednesday addressed the elimination of a director responsible for Diversity and Inclusion education.

The topic was the main thing that parents spoke up about during the public comment section of the meeting that was held at Alexander Hamilton High School.

One parent asked the audience to stand if they opposed the elimination of the district's director of Curriculum, Instruction, Equity and Belonging and the majority of the parents in the crowd stood up.

Dozens of mainly Black and brown parents gave a public show of support for Keturah Proctor.

According to the meeting agenda, she currently holds the position.

News 12 got reaction from parents with mixed opinions.

"I just want to ask you to reconsider and bring her back, because she is a person who is the heart of Elmsford," one parent said.

Another parent said, "I don't believe that [diversity, equity, and inclusion] and [critical race theory] belongs in the school. It's reading, writing, arithmetic, history, and science. That's what the kids should be learning."

Board officials had no comment about the matter when approached by News 12 for a statement.

However, during the meeting the interim superintendent said they plan to split Proctor's responsibilities among multiple staff members.