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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-03-LHRC-min Town of Lexington, Human Rights Committee Meeting Friday, May 3, 2019 Lexington Community Center 8:07-10:02 Present Committee Members: Sean Osborne (Chair), Tanya Gisolfi (Vice Chair), Mona Roy (Clerk), James Barry (Police Department), Barbara Hamilton (LPS), Koren Stembridge (Town), Bonnie Brodner, Jeffrey Toronto, Fuang Ying Huang Liaisons and Guests: Julie Hackett(LPS Superintendent), Christine Lyons (LPS Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Learning), Maureen Kavanaugh(Director of Planning& Assessment), Andrew Stephens (LHS Principal), Meg Collella (Bridge Principal), Jackie Dailey (Harrington Principal), Scott Bokun (School Committee), Brent Maracle (LICA), Valerie Overton (LexPride), Deb Zucker(LexPride), Mabel Amar(guest) 1. Welcome at 8:07 after repeated requests for public to take their seats 2. Public Comments on Items Not on Agenda • None 3. Chair Report(see attachment) • Noted that we do not publicly comment on any anonymous complaints • A recent ADL audit showed Lexington having 3 anti-Semitic incidents in the last year one of those incidents including one person calling another person "Jew" in an aggressive manner 1) how do we empower people to respond in the moment 2) should we count incidents where one person felt that the other person spoke to them in a disrespectful manner 3) what should and could the LHRC do about it • Noted that LHRC was contacted by Arlington LHRC to discuss programming ideas on re: hate symbols • Mr. Brodner felt that it was important to report/capture that it happens even if we cannot do anything about it; should also be tallies for anonymous reporting • Mr. Osborne agreed it was better to capture information and that as a committee, we should think about this vis a vis programming 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 4. Update on Human and Civil Rights Related Policy Reforms and Initiatives main/231/5-7- 19%20SC%2OPacket.pdf) Presentation by Dr. Julie Hackett (LPS Superintendent) and her staff • Dr. Hackett opened with recap of the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Call to Action paper, the ongoing DEI audit; she stated that the discipline disparity issue was what prompted the paper; noted that while the overall rate of suspensions is low compared to other schools, the disproportionality itself is evidence of a problem • Operational Definitions for the purposes of the presentation and the underlying work: i. Diversity includes all the ways in which people differ, and it encompasses all the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another. A broad definition includes not only race, ethnicity, and gender, but also age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, and physical appearance. It also involves different ideas, perspectives, and values. ii. Equity is the fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. iii. Inclusion is the act of authentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/or groups into processes, activities, and decision- and policy-making in a way that shares power. • Dr. Kavanaugh presented an update on discipline. The discussion included new data collections, review procedures and supports to promote better understanding and reflection among district and school leaders. She noted the previously inconsistent data collection; noted that now the data included elements such as office and other referrals that were not previously recorded; data now examined by teams, (e.g. elementary school team)but also examined vertically (K-12); she noted that during the process it was clear everyone needed to see the data on discipline, something that apparently was not the case in the past • She stated that there is an ongoing process of calibration among leaders& faculty members, with a focus on issues of equity. Dr. Kavanaugh noted as an example of inconsistent data (by building, grade span)—there were two students, one was suspended for plagiarism and the other was not. A deeper investigation revealed the suspended student to be a repeat offender. LPS also noticed process issues with the vague definitions of non-compliance, disrespect, physical aggression w/or W/out intent to harm; Barbara Hamilton pointed out that intent to harm requires interpretation • Discussion of data on disparities in discipline by race Mr. Aman Amer./ Mspanic Multi-. WhHe Black Lahno race 0.,8% 5.7%, 1.7% 1.3% 1.7% 0.8% 5.4% 11% 1.0%, 1.0% 0.9% 5.0% 13% 1.2%, 1.2% 0.9% 5.0%, 1.3% 1.2%, 1.2% 3.7% 2.2% 1.0% 1.4% 10.,8%, 4.,6% 1.6% 1.1% 1.,3% • Discussion of rates of discipline for disabled students 34% 10% 3.II% 0.0% 20112-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 • In 2017-18, rate of student suspension overall was 1.2%, while for black students 3.7% (disparity factor 3.1x) and for disabled students 3.1% (disparity factor 2.6x) • So far 2018-19, rate of student suspension overall is 0.8% for black students 2.7% (disparity factor 3.4 x) and for disabled students 2.3% (disparity factor 2.9 x) • Dr. Kavanaugh noted that the rate of discipline for disabled students is going down, but not as quickly as we would like to see • In response to LHRC question, Dr. Hackett stated there is no formal data collection of LGI3TQ suspensions; rather, if students choose to report issues, it is recorded; the administration also uses YRBS to track harassment. • Dr. Hackett discussed how the Administrative Council now uses a case study approach to explore discipline issues; one principal shares a challenging situation and asks a question of colleagues; colleagues then ask clarifying and probing questions that typically lead to deeper reflections and changes in practices • Dr. Hackett noted that all members of the Admin Council and School Committee took QPR(Question, Persuade Refer) suicide prevention training • DEI work expands to parents and community, and Dr. Hackett gave an example of the literacy night at Bridge Elementary School to emphasize this point • There has been both discussion on how to scale a program such as Bowman's "Dismantling Racism" and Dr. Hackett noted that it might not necessarily be Bowman's program, but it could be other curricula they are exploring, such as Facing History and Ourselves or Teaching Tolerance, among others. • Dr. Hackett mentioned that there is an Educator of Color affinity group at LPS where they get together and talk in a supportive environment and without interference • In response to LHRC comments that the overuse of the term "people of color" can marginalize individual or specific group experiences and perspectives, Dr. Hackett responded that this was not her intent. Discussion on how"People of color" (POC) is a difficult term. • The Lexington High School Admin Council also read Waking Up White • Dr. Hackett noted that METCO director(Barbara Hamilton)is available to support all students and that resident students (across all races) are now going to Ms. Hamilton seeking support and also noted that all schools have African American guidance counselors; LHS has one African American guidance counselor and one Hispanic social worker • 214 METCO students including African American, Latino, Biracial, and 4 Asian • Dr. Stephens mentioned the concern at the high school about the disproportionality in the lowest and highest levels of classes; explained that LHS is exploring the possible elimination of the lowest level of Math classes that tend to be predominantly for students who are African American or on IEPs • Dr. Hackett mentioned that they have identified a targeted funding source in the FY 2020 budget for continued DEI work/strategic planning • Dr. Hackett mentioned the need for community input teams to be up and running, which will happen once the new Director of Equity and Student Supports begins on July 1, 2019 • LPS is currently under a State audit that happens every six years; it used to be called the "Coordinated Program Review," and it is now called "Tiered Focus Monitoring" with a focus on issues related to civil rights, special education, and English Language Learners • Dr. Lyons highlighted notable changes in professional development being offered and ways in which the Curriculum Office is integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts into their daily work a. Human and Civil Rights Staff i. Title IX Coordinator—Johnny Cole (starting July 2019) ii. Title VI Coordinator—Johnny Cole iii. ADA/504 Coordinator—TBD iv. Director of Equity and Student Services - Johnny Cole b. Superintendent's 10-Point Checklist for Implementation of Student Discipline Law • After LHRC asked if this was being followed, Dr. Hackett confirmed that this being followed c. Exclusionary School Discipline Policy Reform (Discussed in presentation) d. Improvements to Preventing, Recording, Responding to and Reporting Civil Rights Concerns in LPS — (Discussed above, but not specifically answered) i. Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan Review and Update ii. Reporting and Responding to Incidents of Hate iii. Online Reporting of Bullying, Discrimination and Harassment iv. Active Bystander Training for Faculty, Staff and Students V. Anti-Racism Training for Faculty, Staff, Students and Guardians e. Not in Our Schools Initiative—Pilot did not work at Hastings, not a good fit for elementary schools, will pilot in one of the middle schools f. Response to YRBS Data—discussed above Public Comment on LPS Presentation • Mabel Amar spoke on hiring more POC expressing concern on need for support for POC staff • Valerie Overton spoke on the need for mandatory cultural competency training for school staff and expressed concern that is still outstanding and further that it does not include faith, LGBTQ and disability • Pastor Brent spoke on need to look at Native American demographic expressing concern that the two or three families sticking out and/or ignored and thus diminishing their voice and vis a vis LPS particularly given the public school's historical role of forcing assimilation of Native Americans and the erasure of their culture. He requested the LHRC to encourage LPS to identify these families in statistics. 5. Programmatic Recommendations for LHRC Presentation to School Committee • LHRC members will send any recommendations for topics to include in the June presentation to School Committee to Mr. Osborne or Ms. Gisolfi, by May 15th 6. Consider Programmatic Recommendations for LHRC Presentation to Select Board • LHRC members will send any recommendations for topics to include in the June presentation to the Select Board to Mr. Osborne or Ms. Roy, by May 15th 7. Lexington Discovery Day • Motion to approve modifying the Lexington Discovery Day handout to include the committee website and/or corrected committee email address, if an editable file can be located, Motion made by Ms. Stembridge, seconded by Ms. Gisolfi, all present voted in favor of the motion (Mr. Toronto was not present) 8. Race Amity Day • Motion to approve recommendation to School Committee and Select Board to the draft Proclamation and Proposed Activities for 9 June 2019 as outlined in Memo of May 2. Motion made by Ms. Brodner, seconded by Ms. Gisolfi, all present voted in favor of the motion (Mr. Toronto was not present) 9. Approve Meeting Minutes • Motion to approve March 2019 minutes, made by Lt. Barry, seconded by Ms. Stembridge, all present voted in favor of the motion (Mr. Toronto was not present) • Motion to approve April 2019 minutes, made by Ms. Gisolfi, seconded by Ms. Hamilton, all present voted in favor of the motion (Mr. Toronto was not present) 10. Committee Members Concerns and Liaison Reports • Ms. Hamilton noted a recent LPS incident having the use of N word, met with Principal Stephens, the incident involved a METCO student, and she will be meeting with a core group of students as a next step • Ms. Brodner requested that next month's agenda including discussion on keeping a log of anonymous complaints and to add to the BOS presentation the need for DEI inclusion officer for the town • Ms. Hamilton suggested that the discussion on keeping a log of anonymous complaint needed to include the reasoning and need and the parameters Public Comments • Ms. Zucker stated that using the word"Jew" in an offensive tone should betaken just as seriously as using the N-word and then expressed concern that no one is reporting the anonymous complaints that were reportedly sent to the LHRC • Ms. Overton agreed Confirm Next Meeting -- 6/7/2019 at 8:00am Motion to Adjourn 10:02—Ms. Roy, second Ms. Stembridge LIST OF DOCUMENTS LHRC Chair Report— Sean Osborne Memo on Discovery Day 2019 Activities Draft LHRC flyer Memo on Proposed Race Amity Day 2019 Activities Draft Race Amity Day Proclamation Draft Letter to LICA Race Amity Day State Race Amity Day Proclamation Department of Education website SUPERINTENDENT'S 10 POINT-CHECKLIST FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF CHAPTER 222 OF THE ACTS OF 2012: STUDENT DISCIPLINE LAW Addressing Human and Civil Rights Concerns in LPS Respectfully submitted, Monami D. Roy Clerk, LHRC