DEI Questions Answered

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are important to me! I think that our students should be accepted for who they are and that all students should have a place and feel safe in our schools! The following questions and answers are specific to DEI.

The district has committed to Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity (DEI) work with the goals of developing a culturally inclusive curricula and creating a safe and supportive environment for SAS students and staff.

• How do you envision being a part of this work?

I stand with the district’s message that “SAS is committed to supporting an environment that promotes a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. We want ALL students to feel part of the District’s curriculum”.

The formation of the DEI committee was an important first step to ensure culturally aware educational practice by the Saline Area Schools.

The DEI team needs to be supported with financial resources and the district should continue its commitment to action.

At the September 9th Board of Education meeting, the district reaffirmed its three-year commitment to DEI. Assistant Superintendent Laatsch shared actions the district is taking including additional equity training for staff, strategic framework incorporation, and curriculum changes. I applaud the district for making this commitment and I want to see it sustained.

Going forward, as a board member I will welcome (and demand if necessary) additional updates and progress regarding DEI actions by the school district. It is my belief that inclusive education benefits ALL learners. I will vote for policies and curriculum changes that are inclusive of all students. I will partner with the school district’s representatives, and I will participate in future training opportunities and activities. I will be a voice at the table for students and I want to hear more from the students about what more can be done to promote diversity, equity, and inclusivity in our schools.

What work, personally or professionally, have you done in regards to anti-racism, LGBTQ inclusion & affirmation, or other DEI efforts?

First, as an educator, I have made the commitment in the classroom that students will be free to be the person that they are. I support students in my classroom who are LGBTQ by respecting their pronoun choices, their name choices, and by promoting and maintaining a safe environment free of bullying and discriminatory behavior.

Over the past year, I have learned a great deal about our community. I believe the intolerant message of a few does not represent the majority. I was proud to stand alongside Saline residents on June 5th (with my 12-year-old son) as we united to stand up against racism. I contributed on July 30th to a roundtable discussion with Reimagining MI Schools. At the session, we discussed the future of education and the reimagination of school lessons and curriculum rooted in justice, equity, and anti-racism. Further, on August 24th, I participated, along with over 1500 educators, in a seminar with The Responsive Teaching Coalition. The nationally renowned speakers shared strategies for incorporating anti-racism in classrooms, while also challenging biases that currently exist. Lastly, I have invited students from Saline Supports into my home (socially distant in the garage) where we discussed their DEI efforts and engaged in conversation with them about what it’s like to be an LGBTQ student within the hallways of Saline schools.

I will continue to pursue development opportunities. I will listen. I will be approachable. I will support students for who they are.

Both the 4th and 11th Circuit Courts of Appeals recently ruled that it is unconstitutional under Title IX (banning sex discrimination in education) for schools to ban transgender students from using the restroom that matches their gender identity.

• As a Trustee, how will you support the inclusion of transgender and gender expansive students in school and school facilities?

It is unconstitutional to discriminate against transgender and gender-expansive students. I believe this applies to the use of restroom facilities as well as to the use of locker room facilities.

Regarding restrooms, I would like to see the incorporation of additional unisex bathrooms in our schools, particularly in the secondary schools.

I would like to see the addition of individual stalls in the restrooms that maintain student privacy. I also believe the installation of individual stalls in locker rooms for changing purposes is a wise and equitable solution for all kids.

I previously stated my belief that inclusive environments are beneficial for all students. Here is an example where I believe this to be true. My twelve year old son is currently going through a great deal of bodily change. This provides him with anxiety at times and he also desires more privacy. My son, to my knowledge, is not a LGBTQ student. Yet, he could benefit mentally and socially from the installation of stalls as much as a transitioning student could.

I understand that there remains some concern for families. I am willing to work with and listen to families who have a conscientious objection, provided any solution remains compliant with the law. At the end of the day, I believe that we all love our children, and we all want our student to be accepted for who he/she/they is.

Will you hold the district accountable for implementing policies and practices that adhere to federal and state law as well as guidelines from the MDE, especially in regards to our LGBTQ students and employees?

Yes. It is the law. Therefore, it is our responsibility as a school district to comply with federal and state law and to implement best practices as established and recommended by the state of Michigan.

Given the national spotlight on racism and xenophobia in Saline:

• What steps should the Board take to assess the breadth and depth of these issues as they affect our students and staff?

1. Listen… to our students, to our community, and to our staff and leadership teams.

2. Continue to support the work of the DEI committee.

3. Develop, in cooperation with our students, staff, and community, strong district policies that are inclusive of all learners.

How do we build trust and engagement with communities of color within the district?

We must continue to listen. We must be willing to be uncomfortable. We must continue the conversations and place ourselves in situations that challenge our biases and norms.

Building trust and relationships takes time. Black lives do matter! The lives of all people of color do matter! We have work to do to repair centuries of inequity.

Right now, in our country, it seems like we are incredibly hyper-political. I am disheartened that respect, acceptance and tolerance for those who are different from myself has in any way become a political topic, and/ or moreover is potentially seen as indoctrination. The fact is that there are privileges that I realize as a white male on a daily basis that are not imparted upon all humans. And, I think that needs to change. I want to be a part of that healing. I do not care if that puts me on the left side, or on the right side of the “political spectrum”. I just want everyone in our schools to feel safe and I want all students in our school to feel that Saline schools are a supportive place for them.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) makes available a free, appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities and ensures special education and related services to those children. At a Board meeting earlier this year, Saline parents spoke of the detrimental effects of Seclusion & Restraint on their children. Board Policy 5630.01 has a stated goal of eliminating Seclusion & Restraint.

• What steps will you take to ensure that the district is meeting its legal requirements and adhering to Policy on behalf of this vulnerable population?

Board policy 5630.01 with the stated goal of eliminating Seclusion & Restraint is consistent with the state of Michigan’s Public Act 394 of 2016. I anticipate that the school district will continue to work with NEOLA as well as Superintendent Graden to ensure that the recommendations put forth by the Policy for the Emergency Use of Seclusion and Restraint as required by MCL 380.1307 are being met, and that appropriate training is provided to school district employees. As a board member I would expect that Superintendent Graden as well as other school district leaders will provide us with updates and ensure compliance with Board Policy 5630.01.

Students have been actively involved in Board meetings this past year and a half. In March, the Society of Student Resistance presented a list of demands.

• Given that the Hornet Hotline does not meet students’ current needs in part due to a lack of anonymity, how would you address their need for a “stronger mechanism on reporting hate speech and bullying that empowers students and staff to stand up to all hate and discrimination in any building in the district”?

I am a professional educator of 17 years. The voice of students is THE most important voice in our school district. Everything we do should be obsessed with their needs.

I admittedly don’t know enough about the Hornet Hotline. To answer this question thoroughly, I would have to do more research and engage in discussion with impacted students and families. I anticipate that my solution would also include an open dialogue with the Saline community. One thing I will tell you about me is that when I don’t know about something, I will do the work to find out about it, that I will listen, and that I will try to understand. I will be thorough. I will care.

Bottom line, if there is an opportunity to empower students to report hate speech and to not be a victim of bullying, then I am all for brainstorming and for finding a way to support targeted interventions. I think it is all of our (the community’s) responsibility to work together to maximize our students mental health and well-being.