ISD 728 Board Meeting
12/14/2020
Community Group & Collaboration:
Several months ago, a former student started a petition on Facebook related to diversity and equity, asking the school district to make changes and increase efforts to ensure ALL students experienced a safe and welcoming environment. Since that time, I, as well as others in the District, have been meeting with her, and a group of community members, to better understand their experiences, hopes and desires. They have spoken their truths and made suggestions about how we could improve. Recommendations included things such as providing additional training for staff, ensuring curriculum represents multiple perspectives, and employing a more diverse workforce. While we will continue to partner with them and others to look for ways to best support students, staff, and families of color in our school district and communities, I want to share:
- Our goals, mission, and core values focus on providing a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment for ALL learners
- Our students, staff, and families have shared specific instances of racial discrimination, bias, and unequal treatment in our schools and communities, and have also communicated the impact those instances have had on their lives
- ISD 728 is committed to nurturing an anti-racist learning environment where all students, staff, administrators, school board and families are respected and valued regardless of culture, race, or ethnicity
- The lives of our Black, Indigenous and students, staff and community members of color matter. As such, we will continue our efforts related to diversity, inclusion, and racial equity for all.
