Jackson Public Schools Board of Education Trustee Derek Dobies (left) with Vice President Shalanda Hunt (right)
JACKSON, MI — Board of Education Trustee Derek Dobies and Vice President Shalanda Hunt today announced plans to introduce an equity policy to the Jackson Public Schools Board of Education. The move comes as the Board continues to discuss and debate how to advance work around equity.
“As a board it’s important that we confront implicit biases and combat discrimination to foster more inclusive schools for all students,” said Jackson Public School Board of Education Trustee Derek DOBIES. “In addition to the steps we have already taken, this policy envisions and guides our future efforts to build a more equitable and inclusive educational community. It ensures the success of staff efforts by clear and transparent communication of expectations.”
In October of last year, Jackson Public Schools hired the district’s first Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Curriculum. Filling this position demonstrated the long held commitment by the Board to further promote the ideals of diversity, equity and inclusion for the students, staff and families across Jackson. Among other responsibilities, the position provides professional development training for educators to ensure that curriculum aligns with the equitable lens of the district.
“We are dedicated to enacting tangible, positive changes in our educational system, combating racism, bias, and discrimination in any form,” Jackson Public School Board of Education Vice President Shalanda HUNT. “For years, we have taken tangible steps to build a culture that embraces and celebrates the richness of racial and cultural diversity. This policy ensures we can codify that for the district moving forward.”
Equity policies are growing more common in Michigan school systems as more and more districts advance important work in this space. Amongst the JPS Board of Education, there has been much conversation over the last year about how it can advance interests in seeing meaningful progress around matters of equity, while giving the administration the discretion to carry out that work in everyday decision making. Dobies and Hunt said they believe the following policy strikes the right balance in that regard, communicates the Board’s values, and better fosters an inclusive supportive educational environment.
A copy of the proposed ordinance is available here. Dobies said he hopes to see the policy on the agenda for the May JPS Board of Education meeting.