LWVS Board Statement on Proposed Guidelines for Student Expression

On Friday, June 5, 2026, the Board of Directors of LWVS issued the following statement to the members of the Scarsdale Board of Education and District Administration concerning the proposed Guidelines for Student Expression:

The Board of the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale (LWVS) believes the proposed Guidelines for Student Expression are unnecessary and problematic. We urge the Scarsdale School District Administration to withdraw the proposed guidelines. The existing Scarsdale School District Code of Conduct for students along with established policies and procedures sufficiently address disruption, harassment, bullying, threats, and other conduct that may interfere with the educational environment without the need for additional restrictions on student expression.

The League of Women Voters has a long-standing commitment to the principles of free expression, informed civic participation, and the open exchange of ideas. To that end, the LWVS Board implores the District to abandon plans for implementing the proposed guidelines and to foster a school environment where students may learn to think critically, engage respectfully with differing viewpoints, and negotiate exposure to what may be unpopular, unwelcome, or controversial beliefs.

The LWVS Board encourages the community to submit written feedback to the Board of Education via the District’s anonymous feedback form and/or via email to boardofed@scarsdaleschools.org. The guidelines are on the June 8, 2026, Board of Education agenda as information/discussion item number 9.03. The first public comment period at that meeting is item number 4.02 and the second public comment period is item number 12.01. The meeting will be live-streamed at SPS-TV and public comments will be accepted in person and via Zoom. Follow this link to participate in the public comment periods virtually.

Please view our Local Program and Positions webpage for current and historical folders containing annual and topical LWVS Consensus Statements. Follow this link to view written reports and, when available, video recordings of this year’s Information Sessions.