Op-Ed: A Little Perspective From a Whitehall School Board Member

I have been on the Whitehall School board for around a decade. I have seen a lot of controversy from a lot of different angles in my time on the board. In every situation there are multiple sides and perspectives, and someone is always disappointed, angry, or sad by the way it plays out. I think it is important to try to understand the point of views of all parties, and empathize when you can’t agree.

Over the past couple months that Whitehall High School Drama Club has prepared and performed a play called, “I don’t want to talk about it” The play involves a variety of very difficult subjects that are especially relevant to kids and young adults. I have read the play multiple times, and watched it performed. The play is meaningful and impactful for a lot of people, and can have a positive impact if presented under the right circumstances. The difficulty for a High School administration when considering what should and should not be presented in front of a captive school age audience is that several of the themes could lead to unfortunate unintended consequences for students that may not have the support for issues that could be exacerbated by watching such a play. Suicide is one such topic presented in the play.

Too many people have been impacted by the suicide of a family member or loved one.

I have lost friends and family members to suicide and it is crushing to say the least. There are always so many thoughts and questions when a loved one is lost in that way. “Why?” “Is there something I could have done, or not done?” “I wish…” Suicide is not an easy topic under any circumstance, and especially not for a school age audience.

As the School Board Chair I was asked to read the play following the administration’s decision not to have the play presented in front of our student body. I understand the decision of the administration, I know our administrators pretty well, and they care very much for our students and community. I know that such a decision was not made lightly. I also know this is just one of many many decisions they make on a regular basis that have as much, or more impact on our students lives.

After reading the play, the administration reached out to the head of Montana’s DPHHS Suicide prevention office to get his expert opinion about how the school should address the concerns about the play. His advice was that the play should not be performed for the student body. As wise people often do, admin followed the advice of the expert. They could have chosen to ignore the expert advice, and that may have ended up turning out just fine, but erring on the side of caution when it comes to topics that are quite literally life and death isn’t something I can confidently criticize. No doubt if (heaven forbid) the play had caused an issue with one of our community kids the same people criticizing now, would be blaming admin for allowing the play to be presented.

However, the school administration continued to support the drama club, financially and otherwise. Whitehall School District spent thousands of dollars for the 12 students, drama club advisor, and another chaperon to attend the Thespian festival and present the play; as the festival director approved the content of the play for that audience. We clearly have some very talented students, as they impressed the judges and audience with their performances; something I think we can all be proud of. As a long ago, and much less talented Whitehall Drama Club member, I can only really imagine what it feels like to wow an audience with an acting performance. I have both read and personally witnessed proud congratulations to the participants, from every one of our administrators, which unfortunately appears to have been missed, or ignored by their detractors.

A lot of peripheral noise has been thrown up around this entire situation, but please keep in mind that, as is often the case, you are hearing mostly from the side of the situation that is disappointed or angered by a decision. Our school administrators can’t share all that is behind decisions that are made, as they work hard to protect the privacy of our students and the integrity of Whitehall Schools. I hope to be encouraged by the grace and understanding offered to those that make difficult decisions everyday, knowing they will inevitably make enemies by doing what is right.

The kids presented the play for the community at the Star Theater this past weekend and they knock it out of the park. These kids made our school and community proud. I hope the play sparks positive conversations, and encourages our community members to seek help if needed, or to help others that might need it. I, and our entire administration and school board, support our kids learning and growing through the arts, especially when it helps to tackle difficult topics and situations. I also support our administration’s decision to follow the advice of the Suicide prevention specialist, and not have the play presented at the school for the student body. I know without a doubt that they made that decision with all of our students best interests in mind. School administration is a very difficult job, and no matter what decision is made, someone won’t like it. When that someone is you, try to put yourself in their position, and empathize.

JAMES REIFF

Whitehall School Board Chair