• BOARD OF EDUCATION – ILLINOIS SCHOOL DISTRICT U-46 RESOLUTION AND CALL TO ACTION FOR EQUITY

     

    WHEREAS, the School District U-46 Board of Education passed the Equity Policy 2.250 in 2014 with the primary object of ensuring that, by graduation, all students will meet or exceed college and career ready standards and be fully prepared to become contributing members of society;

    WHEREAS, the Board of Education believes that it is the responsibility of this school district to give each student the opportunity and support to meet his or her highest potential;

    WHEREAS, we recognize historic and persistent achievement and/or excellence gaps, disparities in data with respect to graduation rates, and inequities in reported incidents of student misconduct when comparing students of various ethnic and racial backgrounds.

    WHEREAS, our country, state, and region have reflected upon, and sought action as a result of, the tragic killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery resulting in protests across the country;

    WHEREAS, we believe that a public statement is not enough to compel action to address the persistent policies, practices, and structures that continue to marginalize students, staff, and community members of color;

    THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of School District U-46, Kane, DuPage and Cook Counties of Illinois that we reaffirm our commitment to equity and educational justice, and will seek to address the equity issues impacting our schools and the entire U-46 community.

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education reaffirms Board Policy 2.250 as amended, and also issues a call to action and requests our employees, students, and community to commit to the implementation of the policy, including:

    1) Providing every student with equitable access to high quality and culturally relevant instruction, curriculum, educational resources, and supports needed to be successful;

    2) Creating multiple pathways to success in order to meet the needs of our diverse student body;

    3) Encouraging, supporting, and expecting high academic achievement from all students;

    4) Investing resources aimed at recruiting and retaining a teacher, support, and administrative workforce that reflects the diversity of the student body;

    5) Participating in professional development to strengthen employee knowledge and skills in eliminating disparities in achievement based on race and/or ethnicity;

    6) Remedying any practices that lead to over-representation of students of color in special education and student discipline;

    7) Remedying any practices that lead to under-representation of students of color in programs such as gifted programs, honors academies, and advanced placement courses;

    8) Welcoming, empowering and recognizing students and families of all racial and ethnic backgrounds as essential partners in their student’s education, school planning and District decision making;

    9) Ensuring equal access to all programs for which they qualify.

     

    Dated this 15th day of June, 2020

     

    Susan Kerr, President, Board of Education

    John Devereux, Vice President, Board of Education

    Melissa Owens, Secretary Pro-Tem, Board of Education

    Veronica Noland, Board Member, Board of Education

    Eva Porter, Board Member, Board of Education

    Kate Thommes, Board Member, Board of Education

    Donna Smith, Board Member, Board of Education

    Resolution # 2045