Josh Laird
Joshua D. Laird is on the school board in Adams County, Pennsylvania. In 2019, Josh Laird was described as "Current Director Fairfield Area School District, appointed member of the Adams County Democratic Committee."[1]
Our Revolution discussion about Critical Race Theory
On August 7, 2021, Our Revolution - Pennsylvania hosted a seminar[2] headlined "Our Revolution PA: Understanding Critical Race Theory". Our Revolution - Pennsylvania is affiliated to Our Revolution and Democratic Socialists of America.
From the invitation:[3]
- "Fall is almost here and students will soon be back in the classroom. But before one student has even set foot in a classroom, communities across PA and the United States are negotiating concerns from parents and residents about Critical Race Theory.
- Join us, August 7th, for a discussion about Critical Race Theory. We'll explain how you can effectively rebut this manufactured and opportunistic right-wing media talking point."
Throughout the event, Kimberle Crenshaw and Derrick Bell were on the screen with the quote: "Through the study of law and U.S. history, [Critical Race Theory] attempts to reveal how racial oppression shaped the legal fabric of the U.S. [It] is traditionally less concerned with how racism manifests itself in interactions with individuals and more concerned with how racism has been, and is, codified into the law."
Speakers included Josh Laird, Tamara Anderson, Brian Sims, Lara Putnam and Maurice Baynard. Other speakers for the "LIVE! Our Revolution PA August Forum" included Chuck Pennacchio "co-founder and co-facilitator" of Our Revolution - Pennsylvania, Hal Ginsberg, Our Revolution Regional Organizing Coordinator, Karyn Hollis, Leader of our Our Revolution West Philadelphia burbs and teaches Critical Race Theory at Villanova University, Jeff Kennedy, Chief Strategist Our Revolution - Pennsylvania, Kristin Volchansky, Facilitator HUB for Progress and Member Our Revolution - Pennsylvania, Bill Wood, School Board member running for re-election in the Avon Grove School District, and Lisa Longo, former Board President of the Phoenixville Area School District and served on the Biden Public Education Policy Committee and Rebecca Britton, Downingtown Area School Board Vice President.
Vote Against Opening Schools
In March, 2021, it was reported that Josh Laird voted against returning to school full time.[4]
- "The Fairview Area School District board decided in a narrow 5-4 vote during its Monday meeting to have all grades return to school in-person and full-time beginning April 12. Treasurer Rhonda Myers, Secretary Lauren K. Clark, and board members Lashay Kalathas, Jack Liller and David Millstein voted for reopening the schools full-time while Board President Marcy Van Metre, Vice President Jennifer Holz and members Joshua Laird and Earl Shutt voted against it.
References
- ↑ Joshua D. Laird (accessed August 7, 2021)
- ↑ Our Revolution PA: Understanding Critical Race Theory (accessed August 7, 2021)
- ↑ Our Revolution PA: Understanding Critical Race Theory (accessed August 7, 2021)
- ↑ Ignoring Recommendations of its Administrators, FASD School Board Votes to Reopen * Board member Rhonda Myers Retires (accessed August 7, 2021)