Grand River Solutions presents equity framework to Verona School District

The Verona Board of Education convened on February 22, 2022, to discuss initiatives aimed at enhancing equity and inclusivity within the school district. The meeting featured presentations from Grand River Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in educational equity, which outlined their approach and framework for supporting the district's goals.

The session began with Jody, a co-managing director at Grand River Solutions, emphasizing the importance of listening to the unique voices of each school community before implementing changes. She highlighted the organization's commitment to creating safe and equitable educational environments, stressing that their work is guided by the specific needs and goals identified by the communities they serve.

Tibisai Hernandez, another key member of the Grand River team, introduced the REEF framework—an acronym for Responsive Equity Evolution Framework. This framework is built on principles of social justice, including access to resources, equity, participation, diversity, and human rights. Hernandez explained that the framework promotes a collaborative approach to problem-solving, focusing on centering people and exploring diverse perspectives to avoid causing harm.

The board discussed the district's identified goals, which include conducting a culture and climate assessment, reviewing hiring practices, and analyzing data to provide tailored recommendations. Grand River Solutions outlined their data collection strategies, which involve gathering input from students, parents, faculty, and administration to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the district's needs.

Board member Chris Waka raised concerns about the distance between Grand River's headquarters in California and Verona, questioning how this might affect their work. In response, the team clarified that they operate in over 40 states and have staff across the East Coast, ensuring local engagement in their initiatives.

Waka also inquired about the process for involving students in data collection, emphasizing the importance of voluntary participation. The team assured the board that they prioritize creating safe environments for students to share their perspectives without leading questions or suggestions.

The discussion further explored the concept of equity not being a zero-sum game, with the team explaining that their goal is to create systems where all students can thrive, rather than redistributing resources in a way that disadvantages any group.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to ongoing collaboration and a focus on evidence-based approaches to ensure the effectiveness of the initiatives being proposed. The board expressed appreciation for the insights shared and the potential for meaningful change within the Verona school district.