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Date of publication: May 16, 2006

Source: Brattleboro Reformer

Author: DARRY MADDEN, Reformer Staff

BRATTLEBORO -- A student group won approval from the Brattleboro Union High School Board to affiliate with a sweatshop reform group, but under the condition that the board review and approve the contractual matters ahead of time.

Brattleboro Union High School became the second high school in the country to affiliate with the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC) before an audience of more than 100 residents at Monday's school board meeting.

The board voted 9-3 in favor of affiliating with the WRC, but only after voting to approve the contracts and code of conduct that they would present to the human rights organization.

"The board needs to manage the process, not rubber stamp someone else's document," said Chairman David Dunn. "This way we can focus it and regionalize it to meet our needs."

Sarah Maceda-Maciel, president of the Child Labor Education and Action Project (CLEA), said that they were, in fact, somewhat "disappointed" with the outcome.

"It's some added time that we weren't anticipating," she said, indicating that CLEA had first worked for the board's approval last year at this time. "It's also a matter of how watered down (the language) will become."

All who spoke voiced their support of CLEA's proposal. And despite Dunn's request that applause be held, most speakers were met with cheers.

Bob Bady, of Brattleboro, introduced himself as a taxpayer, a resident of this community and a supporter of CLEA's proposal. He told the board that it was important for them to notice who turned out to the meeting, and asked if anyone was present who opposed the school's affiliation with the WRC.

"Would that person please stand up?" asked Bady.

No one did.

Members of the board have voiced concerns over the course of this debate that this issue was "political" in nature, and therefore an inappropriate venue for a public school board.

"This is about as political as joining the Better Business Bureau," said Robert Ross, a Clark University sociology professor and author of "Slaves to Fashion," a book about the garment industry.

Bob Miller of Brattleboro said that the arguments about whether it was a political issue were all "smokescreens."

"The main question is the horrible question of child labor around the world. Child labor is a crime. Period," said Miller. "The only conclusion I can come to if this board votes not to support CLEA is that tacitly, we're going along with a crime."

Board member Mike Hebert said he did not agree with that characterization, and offered this counterpoint to the argument that this was a not a political issue, but a moral one.

"What if a group of students came before the board and asked us to affiliate with a right to life group?" he asked.

Principal Jim Day responded.

"In this case, it seems like we can all say that child labor, and pregnant women being fired, has to be a concern to all of us," he said. Day also told the board that the school could manage administratively with any extra burden it might create, adding that CLEA would "not lay that on our door. They would do the (necessary work) and relish the task."

Sue Rusten, representing the Windham Southeast Education Association offered their resolution in support, including financial support, of CLEA, as did Jayme Van Oot for the BUHS Student Council.

The motion in support of affiliating with the WRC was amended to include the board's oversight of the language and content of the contract and the code of conduct which the WRC will enforce in the factories from which BUHS buys uniforms.

Board member Shaun Murphy spoke out against the amendment, arguing that it would lengthen the process unnecessarily, and that the issue did not warrant further examination.

"They (members of CLEA) have worked so long and so hard for young people," said Murphy. "And we are here to support the efforts of young people."

The amendment passed. The motion to affiliate also passed. Board Members Shaun Murphy, Ingrid Chrisco, Ed Bouquillon, Scott Henry, David Dunn, Mark Bennett, Ricky Davidson, Bob Woodworth and Jennifer Brown voted in favor. Board members Lynn Corum, Ruth Barton and Mike Hebert were opposed.

Tim Kipp, a teacher at BUHS and a founder of CLEA, said, "This is an extraordinary example of democracy in action. And I thank you for the thoughtful discussion."

Darry Madden can be reached at dmadden@reformer.com, or (802) 254-2311, ext. 273.