WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — A Williamsburg-James City County school board member is under fire for comments during a March school board meeting.
One of Michael Hosang's colleagues called the statements "racist" and now, the area's teachers union, along with advocacy groups, plan to share concerns at a public meeting next week.
On March 19, while discussing the budget for the next school year, Hosang shared concerns about division classrooms experiencing an increase in students who speak English as a second language.
"Multiple issues of these teachers who were not able to teach their class, because they've been focusing on these non-English speaking students who were brought into their classrooms unannounced," he said during the school board meeting, citing concerns about his daughter's classroom.
Hosang went on to suggest separate classrooms for the students, along with other questions.
“I would like to know what is being hidden from the parents and the school board. It should be easy to provide information as to why these students are here and who they are," he said. "Are they here legally? Should we as a school district be spending our funds, which are designated for those who are citizens in our city and county, to those who might not be here legally? Also, why are parents and teachers not notified of their arrival?"
"That is a racist trope," said school board vice chair Andrea Donner from the dais that night.
"I just want to be very clear that saying that someone who is coming to our schools, and because they are Spanish-speaking, that they are an illegal and that parents should be warned about their presence in our schools, is racist," she said.
Board member Randy Riffle took to social media about the comments on March 21.
"On Tuesday, the WJCC School Board passed a budget that I am proud of. What I am not proud of is Mr. Hosang using this platform to jeopardize the character of our board by spreading misinformation, fear, and targeting our ELL students. Our division has a responsibility to serve all students in our community. This rhetoric will not stop us from continuing to do so," he wrote.
In a statement, The Williamsburg James City Education Association condemned the comments, saying in part, "This blatant bigotry and hate has no place in WJCC school division [...] and every student who enters our division is worthy of the same educational opportunities."
Marco Sardi, the president of the teachers' union, told 13News Now they will show support for multilingual students and their families at the next school board meeting. Members of the Village Initiative, a local non-profit dedicated to equity and justice in Williamsburg-James City County Schools and the community, also plan to attend.
Jennifer Bickham Mendez, who is part of the Village Initiative, is fired up about Hosang's comments.
“It’s just a jarring thing to hear an elected official say from the dais," she said. "These are some of [the] most vulnerable students."
Bickham Mendez is a sociology professor at William & Mary and leads a group of college students who tutor children in the school district who speak English as their second language. She says she's concerned about the message this could send to the community.
"What kind of attitudes will these comments embolden?" she said, while also questioning the legality of Hosang's suggestions.
Days ago, her group received a grant to support families of multilingual students in Williamsburg-James City County Schools.
When reached by 13News Now, Hosang says his remarks were not racist and accused others of distracting from a topic that impacts schools and taxpayers.
The next WJCC school board meeting is slated for 6:30 p.m. on April 16 at James Blair Middle School.