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Hernando school board proclaims February Black History Month after caucus corrects language
Summary
The Hernando County School Board unanimously approved Proclamation P25005 recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month. Members of the district's Black Educators Caucus accepted the proclamation and corrected an earlier phrasing; the board chair clarified the wording came from a vendor statement and apologized for the confusion.
The Hernando County School Board voted unanimously Feb. 11 to approve Proclamation P25005 recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month in Hernando Schools.
The proclamation highlights the historical and ongoing contributions of Black Americans in fields including education, government, law, literature and science and encourages schools to teach that history to students.
Dr. Vianice Black, speaking on behalf of the Black Educators Caucus, thanked the board for the proclamation and said it was “a privilege to have a school board that is willing to stand up to recognize that we all have made contributions and not to push cultures aside.”
During the public portion tied to the proclamation, members of the caucus requested a correction after language in materials referred to “colored people.” Gina Hall, identified at the meeting as vice president of the Black Educators Caucus, told the board: “We are not colored. We are black or African American.” Board Chair Mrs. Jordan responded that the phrasing was not her wording and said she had been reading from a vendor document; she said, “I would never recognize that. It was not my words.”
The board passed the proclamation by a 5-0 vote.
Why it matters: Formal recognition by the school board establishes districtwide guidance for programming and classroom attention during Black History Month and underscores sensitivity around terminology and representation voiced by local educators.
What happened next: After the vote the board turned the microphone over to representatives of the Black Educators Caucus for brief remarks and thanks.
