Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Equity Belonging topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Eliminate Racism 815 urges Rockford SD 205 to adopt organizational-level culture-of-belonging work
Summary
Anne Rundle, speaking for Eliminate Racism 815, thanked the district for sponsoring a summit and urged Rockford Public Schools to adopt trainings, dialogues and accountability measures to build a deeper, organizational culture of belonging.
Anne Rundle, representing Eliminate Racism 815, urged the Rockford Public Schools Board of Education to pursue sustained, organizational-level work to foster a culture of belonging in the district.
Rundle told the board the group co-sponsored a May 8 summit on racism that drew nearly 355 community members and included student performances and a high-school art exhibit. She thanked district staff, board members and administrators who attended and helped facilitate the event, including noting that board member Miss Stanford served as a trained facilitator.
Rundle said the summit produced both short-term actions and long-term goals that involve the school district, and she recommended the district adopt "intentional dialogues, trainings, and accountability" to effect deeper cultural change. She referenced educational materials she would attach to her handout and said her approach is based on the work of James A. Banks on multicultural education.
Rundle emphasized that visible cultural elements such as food and dress are only surface-level; to change organizational culture the district must address deeper practices and structures. She asked the board to consider the summit's recommendations as the district develops ongoing efforts to improve inclusion and belonging.
