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Home My WebLink About2018-10-05-LHRC-min `OVS MOgN� OP 1775 �C p x Town of Lexington Lexington Human Rights Committee 3 a� APRIL 19' �FXI NCV Sean D. Osborne, Chair humanrightscinte dlexington a.gov_ Tanya Gisolfi,Vice Chair Monami D. Roy, Clerk Minutes for October 5, 2018 Meeting Present: • Members: Sean Osborne (Chair), Fuang-Ping Huang (Vice Chair), Tanya Gisolfi (Clerk), Bonnie Brodner, Jeffrey Toronto, James Barry (Police Department), Barbara Hamilton (School Department), Mona Roy • Liaisons and Guests: Mabel Amar, Jodi Finnegan (ABCL), Julie Hackett(Superintendent), Jill Hai (BoS), Patricia Jacotin (SEPAC/ABCL), Kathleen Lenihan, (School Committee), Daniel E. Levenson (ADL), Christina Lin (LHS PTO), Brent Maracle (LICA), Valerie Overton (LexPride), Tony Serio (Lexington Human Services), Georgia Swann (SEPAC/ABCL), Mia Jacoby-Twigg, Deb Jacoby-Twigg, WeiDong Wang (CARL), Stanley Yap (CAAL), Debra Zucker(LexPride) Meeting called to order at 8:10 am, Quorum was present at 8:10 am. Minutes from September 7, 2018 meeting were reviewed with no changes. Ms. Gisolfi noted that there were some minor changes that need to be made Motion to approve amended minutes (8:12) Resolved: To approve the minutes for the September 7, 2018 meeting with minor changes. Public Comments Ms. Overton (Lex Pride)passed out a flyer of events of interest to LHRC, noted recent fear/hate crime incidents, requested support for Yes on 3. Chair Report See attached report. Additional comments from chair Charlotte Rogers is retiring at the end of the next month. Ms. Huang is not seeking reelection as Vice Chair and was thanked for her service as either Clerk or Vice Chair since the inception of the LHRC. As a consequence of the September LHRC meeting discussion, the town job postings will be sent out to LHRC chair and Town Meeting Members to potentially broaden reach and pool of candidates. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 L LHRC Board Elections a. Chair Candidates—Bonnie Brodner and Sean Osborne b. Vice Chair Candidates—Tanya Gisolfi and Jeffery Toronto c. Clerk Candidate—Mona Roy Votes counted by Lt. Barry and Ms. Huang Winners in BOLD H. Making Lexington Public Schools (LPS) More Equitable—Dr. Julie Hackett, LPS Superintendent • Mr. Osborne introduced Dr. Hackett and referenced earlier conversations re: direction of LPS re: these issues and how can LHRC support these activities. • Dr. Hackett referenced many meetings with various LHRC members (including Ms. Brodner, Ms. Huang, and many meetings with Mr. Osborne) and that she felt her addition of Ms. Hamilton (METCO director at LPS)to the LHRC would be a clear asset to the group. • Dr. Hackett said that she came to the LHRC to discuss ongoing and upcoming LPS efforts related to equity. • Mentioned that as a candidate, Dr. Hackett was told the importance of the equity concerns and before she did background research on issues (reading, School Committee meetings on TV), and acknowledged the broken trust issues. • This summer, Dr. Hackett met with her Admin Council discussed some of the challenges, Thompson Island retreat, admin team talked about journey, dedicated to same things as LHRC, felt there was a communication issue, but also acknowledged that it was not just a communication issue as documented disparity exists. Used the term ("students of color"); dealing with racial issues, equity issues, meta- analysis, focus in on problem and focus in on solutions. • Post retreat and into the fall, the Admin Council developed a 40-page paper to reflect community concerns and initial ideas—but has asked that community to give feedback to inform the draft document. • Dr. Hackett discussed the suggestion of a moratorium on Category 18 (non-criminal) suspensions with Ms. Brodner and Ms. Huang but conveyed that the data collection methods vary from school-to-school and grade-to- grade, which is not an uncommon phenomenon in public education. Dr. Hackett noted that overall number of suspensions is relatively small (a total of 60 at LHS); however, disparities and gaps exist, and they need to be addressed. LPS is hesitant to put a moratorium on suspension as number of suspension incidents are small and there is inconsistent information on antecedents and standards for suspension in Category 18. • Dr. Hackett noted suspensions disproportionately affect students of color and disabled students. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 • LPS would like to continue exploring antecedents to the behavior and documentation of the same. • Discussed disparity in suspensions even between principals in the same grade span, and the need to clarify expectations and calibrate, which the administrators are working together to do. • Mentioned disparities also exist in municipal, state and national levels • Mentioned disparities existed not just students of color and special needs students and wanted to broaden the study. • Wants to engage community in shaping thinking on these issues. • Dr. Hackett referenced Mr. Osborne's ongoing input which is not fully reflected in the paper specifically. • Discussed equity audit. • Discussed anonymous reporting mechanism— 1) using bullying form— perhaps rebranding it 2)looking at equity audit 3) consultant 4) focus groups 5)leveling practices 6) bringing in outside experts to tackle these issues • Also, Dr. Hackett noted that she and the Administrative Council will continue to study the Attorney General's guide to civil rights in schools, alternatives to suspensions, and increasing diversity of staff. • Dr. Hackett encouraged everyone to read Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and provide feedback through the online survey. Summary of Discussion— • Ms. Brodner thanked Dr. Hackett for moving things along. • Ms. Gisolfi appreciates the immediacy of actions. • Ms. Roy echoed thanks and mentioned concerns on the focus shifting away from African American students who have a documented 5-6 x suspension rate. • Dr. Hackett responded saying that while it is true that the documented disparity in suspensions and other areas is the highest for African American students and then IEP/504 students, she wanted to be inclusive of other groups (e.g. LGBTQ and Hispanic). • Dr. Hackett discussed plans for various (specifics TBD)training across the board including active bystander training, • Dr. Hackett suggested adding a note to the parents of children who are suspended to get an announcement saying if you feel that your civil rights have been violated, you can report it to the LHRC and include a link or possibly just having a link to the LHRC reporting form on the LP website. • Mr. Osborne noted that this is a decades old problem, glad to see that it is being looked at holistically, suggested watching METCO anniversary documentary, mentioned the issues and concerns regarding reporting, and striving for excellence in this area, 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 • Feedback included concerns about the bullying reporting form format; inconsistent classification between schools; cumbersome reporting/complaining system; difficulty in understanding form. Also, it was noted that some feel that there is no safe place to report concerns and that this can lead to concerns about discipline and other civil rights issues not being reported. LPS has a chain of reporting, but not everyone is/feels empowered to go up the chain. There is fear of retaliation. • Suggestions include adding a button on the Town of Lexington website for reporting a civil rights violation/concerns the LHRC and adding/enhancing its anonymous reporting system in addition to other reporting systems. Lt. Barry requested that any such reporting system include a disclaimer on the form on safety issues and when to directly report to the police. III. ADL (Anti-Defamation League) New England Metro North Advisory Committee–Daniel E. Levenson,Associate Regional Director,ADL New England • Founded in 1913 to work on issues of fair treatment towards Jewish people • ADL has had a relationship with every presidential administration and FBI since its founding and wants to work in partnership with the Lexington community • ADL expanded its mission to include immigration reform, LGBT, women's equality, anti-hate and pro-civil rights initiatives • While most states have hate crimes legislations, there is still no hate crimes legislation in Wyoming, SC, and TX • ADL supports education and training to support these goals for PreK through University level o Teaches people to be upstanders rather than bystanders • Here in New England ADL provides training for students, educators, law enforcement, and media and sponsors a Joint Seder(A Nation of Immigrants) • Mr. Levenson noted that no one should erase of evidence of hate until law enforcement has collected the necessary evidence to conducts its investigation. • Mr. Levenson noted that ADL put together a program in Arlington–History and Use of Hate Symbols— a program that was the product of conversation with HRC in Arlington. • Mr. Levenson encouraged the Lexington HRC to be in contact. o Lt. Barry is a member of the ADL Metro North Advisory Committee Meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m. Next meeting: Friday, November 2, 2018 at 8:00 am. LIST OF DOCUMENTS • Agenda • Chair Report • Last Month's Minutes 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420