The South Washington County Schools Board of Education passed a resolution on racial equity unanimously Thursday.

“While much of our attention has been focused on teaching, planning and delivering services during a pandemic, we continue to focus on racial equity. South Washington County Schools is not immune to racism, harassment and educational disparities. We know this from our data, but also because our students are telling us directly,” said Superintendent Julie Nielsen. “The issues in our schools were put in stark contrast following the death of George Floyd. Students reached out, told their stories, bravely spoke their truth and shared ideas on how we could improve. Recommendations included professional development for staff, training in cultural sensitivity and ensuring that curriculum represents diverse perspectives. Most recently, another group of students brought forth the importance of a curriculum that enhances productive dialogue around race and identity to ensure accurate portrayals of people of color. We must empower these students to use their voice for real change and take time to listen and reflect on what they are asking of us.”

Said Nielsen, “The school board recognizes the need to take decisive action to provide each student with a welcoming and inclusive school environment that will directly contribute to learning and success. The resolution will serve as a foundation for moving forward to create a better educational experience for our Black, Indigenous and students of color.”

The resolution, in part, directs administration and Nielsen to take the following steps: Create a curriculum review process that incorporates accurate portrayals of Black, Indigenous and people of color.

Foster a culture of anti-racism and to take all legal steps necessary to further racial equity through the creation of a racial equity plan that addresses the academic achievement and mental/ social-emotional well-being of each student.

Provide professional development opportunities for staff that focuses on combating racism and developing the attitudes, skills and beliefs that are necessary to support all students and families.

Adopt the following messages as official government speech: “We Believe Black Lives Matter.” “Stand Up, Stand Strong, Stand Proud” with approval of additional messaging, signage and visuals that are consistent with the resolution.

Amplify diverse perspectives in support of students of color, their families and educators to help inform our decisions.

Authorize the superintendent to create a process that integrates equity into all district decision- making, school board policy review and adoption processes, including an annual review of policy 102.1 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Below is the full resolution.

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING RACIAL EQUITYAND THAT BLACK LIVES MATTER WHEREAS, the ongoing social justice issues across our country, including the killing of George Floyd, have had a profound impact on our students, staff, administrators, school board and families of South Washington County Schools; WHEREAS, as leaders in South Washington County Schools, we choose to speak out in response to the recent national and local events that have called attention to racist attitudes, racist actions, societal race-based disparities, and other forms of systemic and institutional racism that have persisted for centuries; WHEREAS, this unique and historic moment in our country’s evolution presents an opportunity and a challenge for all of us to be part of creating a better educational community for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC); WHEREAS, students, staff members, and families of South Washington County Schools have shared specific instances of racial discrimination, bias, and unequal treatment in our schools and have also shared the profound impact that those instances have had on their lives; WHEREAS, we have personally witnessed varying attitudes about race in our own community; WHEREAS, we are responsible for nurturing anti-racist learning environments where all students, staff, administrators, school board and families are respected and valued for who they are regardless of culture, race, or ethnicity; WHEREAS, we resolutely stand, and will speak out, against all hate, bias, racism, and crimes of violence; WHEREAS, the School Board and the Administration are committed to ensuring that each student is supported, encouraged and academically challenged by the staff at school regardless of culture, race, or ethnicity; WHEREAS, South Washington County Schools racial equity mission is to provide each student with a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for learning and success; the School Board and the Administration are committed to ensuring that the school a student attends will not be the predictor of their school success; WHEREAS, the School Board and the Administration are committed to constantly examining the District’s policies and practices in order to remove obstacles and barriers that may contribute to systemic inequities; and WHEREAS, the intent of this resolution is (1) to declare that the lives of our Black, Indigenous and students, staff and community members of color matter, (2) to publicly commit to accelerate our efforts around diversity, inclusion, and racial equity and (3) to adopt government speech in furtherance of these objectives.

See Racial Equity Resolution Page 3 Racial Equity Resolution

From Page 1

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 833, South Washington County Schools, as follows: We believe that Black lives matter.

We condemn all forms of bullying and unlawful discrimination.

We condemn hate speech and systematic racism directed at Black, Indigenous and people of color.

We condemn all manifestations and expressions of racism, xenophobia, discrimination, and ethnic or racial intolerance.

We believe that an accurate understanding of the past is necessary in order to build a successful vision of the future that works for each student. We cannot value Black and Indigenous lives without teaching their history, recognizing the contributions of Black and Indigenous leaders, and celebrating the sacrifices and achievements that were necessary to move us closer to the fulfillment of America’s promise of justice and equality for all. We authorize the Superintendent to create a curriculum review process that incorporates accurate portrayals of Black, Indigenous and people of color. (Policies 603 & 616) We authorize and direct the Superintendent to foster a culture of anti-racism and to take all legal steps necessary to further racial equity within our schools, departments, and buildings through the creation of a racial equity plan for the academic achievement and mental/emotional well-being of each student.

We authorize and direct the Superintendent or designee to provide professional development opportunities for staff that focus on combatting systemic and institutional racism and further develop the We commit to fostering a school environment that promotes respect for and curiosity about all cultures, and that affirms equal humanity of all our students, staff members, families, and community members.

We adopt the following messages as official government speech: “We Believe Black Lives Matter.” “Stand Up, Stand Strong, Stand Proud.” We authorize the Superintendent to promote this government speech across the District and to attitudes, skills, and beliefs that are necessary to support each student and their families approve additional messaging, signage, and visuals that are consistent with this government speech and that further the objectives of this Resolution.

We commit to ensuring that student achievement will not fall into predictable patterns identified by culture, race, or ethnicity, and to ensuring that each student will have access to personalized learning opportunities that honor the student’s unique background and culture to promote a sense of belonging.

We will seek to amplify diverse perspectives in support of students of color, their families, and educators. We will not only listen to their concerns and aspirations, but also pledge to leverage those concerns and aspirations to inform our decisions.

We authorize the Superintendent to create a process that integrates equity into all district decision-making, school board policy review and adoption processes, including an annual review of policy 102.1 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.