DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMUNITY DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION RESOLUTION DECLARATION OF BEING AN ANTI-RACIST INSTITUTION A RESOLUTION of the Board of Education of the Detroit Public Schools Community District (“Board”) declaring Detroit Public Schools Community District (“District”) to be an antiracist institution. WHEREAS, we acknowledge that racism and its effects, including economic injustice, are embedded in all social institutions as well as in ourselves. This we know is true; WHEREAS, we know that implicit bias manifests in police interactions with Black and brown people that too often end tragically. We know that racial disparities in health care exist and were made obvious by the COVID-19 pandemic when Black, brown and poor persons suffered from little or no access to treatment. We know that inequities in mental health occur as persons go undiagnosed or untreated only to be ridiculed or criminalized. We acknowledge that the social, economic and ecological health of our planet is imperiled by the deepening divisions in our world caused by inequitable and unjust distribution of power and resources. And of course, we know that the State of Michigan school funding is inequitable as affluent suburban, metro-Detroit school districts enjoy two times the per pupil funding as the District and other urban Michigan school districts due to the hold harmless aspects of local mileages and results in fewer services or programs for the students who are most in need; WHEREAS, we know that all of these matters impact learning by Detroit’s school children; WHEREAS, we acknowledge the impact of racism on the educational outcomes and socialemotional wellbeing of our students and the interconnection among oppressions (race, class, national origin, ethnicity, ability, gender, sexual orientation and religion). Accordingly, we further our efforts by making an institutional commitment to end racism and all forms of oppression; WHEREAS, the history of Detroit Public Schools and the Detroit Public Schools Community District includes evidence of both great commitment and individual achievement in the struggle for racial justice as well as the failure of our institutional policies and practices to respond fully to the call for educational justice; and WHEREAS, the Board has considered this matter in open session. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Detroit Public Schools Community District makes the following commitments: 1. We are committed to eradicating racism, bigotry, hate and violence in any form that is not reflective of the educational community we strive to support. Page 3. We are committed to developing and implementing an Equity Strategic Framework that looks to examine policy, curriculum and instructional practice to center the 1 2. We are committed to honest and transparent transformation of District culture and practices so students, families, community members and staff feel visible, respected and connected. needs of our students and the experiences of those that have been historically and institutionally oppressed. This framework will also outline expectations for all employees to be reflective about their own biases, intentional about how to shift their practice, supportive of all identities and deliberately engaged in anti-racist strategies such as elevating student voice to directly confront injustices (“Antiracism Training”). 4. We are committed to all Board members and staff engaging in ongoing Anti-racism Training, to examine basic assumptions, structures and functions. In response to what is learned, each staff member will be expected to: (i) develop action plans for the welfare of our students; (ii) identify his/her own implicit biases; and (iii) take steps to ensure that his/her own biases do not result in the unfair management, unjust handling or mistreatment of students. If a staff member violates the principles taught in this training and/or takes action prohibited by District policy, he/she will be subject to discipline up to and including termination. This is how we will take action to stop racist behavior in the District. 5. We are committed to transforming the racist practices of our educational institution and public policies. We will engage in deep learning, dialogue, action steps and establish relationships with other organizations that are working to dismantle racism. 6. We are committed to engaging only with partners or businesses that actively work to eradicate racist behaviors and policies and promote inclusive environments for students and families. We expect partners, contracted businesses and bargaining units to engage in ongoing Anti-racism Training and to examine basic assumptions, structures and functions. 7. Finally, we are committed to engaging students, families and community members in learning about anti-racism and in developing action plans for change. District Administration will monitor and assess the District’s transformation as an antiracist organization and the Board will receive annual updates specifically on the programs and resources dedicated to assisting our District in carrying out the objectives of these commitments. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, as we remember George Floyd, Ahmaud Aubrey, Breonna Taylor and the many others named and unnamed who were senselessly deprived of the breath of life, liberty and justice – we vow to deliberately engage in analysis and action to eradicate racism. Racism is a disease that has far too long ravaged our city, state and nation and we can no longer bear the burden of behavior, systems or institutions that allow for knees on necks for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. As an anti-racist institution, we decry such activity and will take action that respects the humanity of every student. This we know is true. Page BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMUNITY DISTRICT 2 RESOLVED this 16th day of June, 2020. By: ____________________________________ Iris A. Taylor, Ph.D, President Detroit Public Schools Community District Board of Education By: ____________________________________ Angelique Peterson-Mayberry, Vice President Detroit Public Schools Community District Board of Education By: ____________________________________ Sonya Mays, Treasurer Detroit Public Schools Community District Board of Education By: ____________________________________ Misha Stallworth, Secretary Detroit Public Schools Community District Board of Education By: _____________________________________ Georgia Lemmons, Member Detroit Public Schools Community District Board of Education By: ____________________________________ Deborah Hunter-Harvill, Ed.D, Member Detroit Public Schools Community District Board of Education By: ____________________________________ Bishop Corletta Vaughn, Member Detroit Public Schools Community District Board of Education Certification: Page _____________________________________ Misha Stallworth, Board Secretary Detroit Public Schools Community District Board of Education 3 I certify that this Resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Education of the Detroit Public Schools Community District at a properly-noticed open meeting held with a quorum present on the 16th day of June 2020.