After immense backlash over what critics call a clear case of “racism” and “sexism,” a Pennsylvania school board member who rejected a candidate because of his race, sexual orientation, and gender is resigning from her position.
BREAKING: @UpperMorelandSD board member Jennifer Solot has resigned following her comments that a “cis white male” shouldn’t be board president because “it sends the wrong message.” https://t.co/BxJYZgfyOy pic.twitter.com/0xDhyvRVdE
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 12, 2022
The video in which board Treasurer Jennifer Solot of the Upper Moreland Township School District declared that Greg D’Elia was unfit for board president because of his “cis, White male” nature made its way online, subjecting her to an abundant level of criticisms mostly from Republicans who accused her of discrimination.
In light of the blowback from the Dec. 6 election, Solot has decided to step down from her position, as announced by a statement from the school district. The statement, signed by newly elected board president April Stainback and superintendent Susan Elliott, claimed that Solot wishes to apologize for her words which were “poorly chosen.”
According to the statement, she chose to step down so as not to distract the public from “the great things” happening in the school “on a daily basis.” Her resignation will become effective from Jan. 2, 2023.
UMSD further stated that Solot’s remarks do not represent the opinions held by the district or the board of directives. A part of the statement clarified that the district values “the full diversity of the community we serve and help all students and staff achieve success without discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or gender identity.”
During the Dec. 6 election, Solot, who led the meeting pending the election of a president, expressed opposition to electing D’Elia over April Stainback, a straight White woman. While she admitted the father of three would make “an excellent president,” she said that selecting a “cis, white male” will not portray the district in a good light to members of the community.
Solot had pointed out that having D’Elia head the board would send a message contrary to what the board has been trying to accomplish. “I think that it is important that we practice what we preach,” she stated.
The UMSD is known for policies and practices that support belongingness and equity. The district recently established a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging committee to this effect. However, the district clarified that its policies do not support the sidelining of a qualified candidate based on color, race, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and more.
While it is unknown if Solot’s statements impacted the board members’ voting decisions, none of them voted for D’Elia. Stainback had won a staggering victory, with D’Elia counting the one vote he cast for himself.
