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Patrons urge continued DEI support; students ask board to expand high‑school career guidance
Summary
During public comments at the March 31 meeting, residents and staff thanked the district for past DEI work and asked for continued support for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and affinity groups; two Kirkwood High School juniors asked the board to expand career exploration for high school students.
During the public comment period at the March 31 Kirkwood School District Board of Education meeting, several speakers urged continued support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work and affinity groups, and high‑school students asked the board to expand career guidance programming.
Anne Frey, a district resident who said she has children in the district and who spoke with others from the West County Action Network, thanked the district and board "for their past support of diversity, equity, and inclusion as stated in our strategic plan" and urged continued advancement of DEI initiatives and affinity groups. Frey cited research she said shows inclusive environments improve student engagement and academic performance.
Amy Leatherbury, who identified herself as a Kirkwood High School staff member and as serving on the executive board of KNEA, thanked the administration and board for supporting DEI affinity groups and the Kirkwood teachers of color mentorship program. She described professional development opportunities in Kirkwood dating back to 2013 and urged the board to continue DEI professional development, affinity groups and a focus on attracting and retaining diverse staff.
Two juniors from Kirkwood High School, including Evie Decker, described a student‑led initiative to host guest speakers and career events for high school students. They said the program brought career experts into homeroom and called on the board to consider increasing career exploration, emphasizing internships, local career presentations and partnerships with area technical programs to help students develop post‑secondary plans.
Speakers who addressed DEI emphasized research on inclusion and cited benefits including leadership development and improved student resiliency. Student presenters said they want more frequent and structured career guidance integrated into curriculum and counseling work.
Public comment remarks are the speakers' statements to the board; the board does not typically respond during the comment period, though staff said follow‑up would occur after the meeting when appropriate.
