EQUITY AND ANTI-RACISM Resolution

  • Dr. Mumin visiting a school

    WHEREAS, the recent incidents of violence against Black Americans, including the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Rayshard Brooks, highlight the systemic bias and institutional racism in our society that has senselessly and atrociously devastated so many Black lives throughout our country’s history;

    WHEREAS, the experiences and outcomes are not consistent for historically underserved and marginalized groups, including Black Americans and other people of color; those experiencing poverty, homelessness, or foster/kinship care; students who identify as LGBTQ+; students receiving special education instruction; students with limited or interrupted formal education; and students for whom English is not their native language;

    WHEREAS, this violence, racism, disregard of human dignity and life, and apathy regarding these inequitable experiences and outcomes perpetuate a system within which students, families, and staff from these historically underserved and marginalized groups are oppressed and attacked, both through explicit racist actions as well as implicit bias and microaggressions;

    WHEREAS, our community and our nation’s futures require that this systemic bias and institutional racism be dismantled; and

    WHEREAS, the promotion of principles of equity and anti-racism through educational institutions is a key lever in dismantling this systemic bias and institutional racism to ensure that ALL children and families are able to thrive.

    NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

    1. The Reading School District Board of Directors stands in solidarity with the Black community and other historically underserved and marginalized groups in our schools, community, and nation to condemn this violence, racism, disregard of human dignity and life, and apathy regarding inequitable experiences and outcomes.

    2. The Reading School District Board of Directors commits to its own work as individuals and our collective work overseeing the District in continuing to become equitable and anti-racist in core values, beliefs, behaviors, actions, practices, and policies.

    3. The Reading School District Board of Directors will recommit itself to promoting equity within and across our schools, in conversation and partnership with students, families, staff, and community stakeholders.

    4. The Reading School District Board of Directors calls on all local, state, and federal partner agencies to join us and strengthen the collective work of equity, anti-racism, and inclusion in our community.

    5. In moving from planning to action, as set forth in our Welcoming Schools Resolution (2018-19 School Year) and more recently in our Equity Policy (2019-20 School Year), the Reading School District will stay dedicated to drawing on the perspective and feedback from the collection of diverse voices received through the District Equity Advisory Committee and School Equity Teams to identify concrete actions that must be taken to advance this work, and continuing to ensure that these voices are elevated in decision-making processes through our District-wide equity initiatives.