Board’s first reading of school climate survey sparks debate over 'equity and inclusivity' language

The Hardyston Township School District board held a first reading of proposed Policy 9128.01, a school climate survey policy, and debated whether to restore the phrase "equity and inclusivity in the school environment" to the survey design and content section.

Board members said the policy is intended to create a framework for an annual survey that could be administered by an independent third-party vendor. One member asked why the two words had been removed and argued they were meaningful for student participation: "Equity means ... that they can get treated the same as everybody else," the member said, adding, "I don't understand why that's bad." The president replied, "I took that out because I don't like it," and said she had added a requirement to include two students from each school to participate so students would be tied to their schools in the survey.

Members discussed the logistics and cost implications. The board was told there are vendors that can administer such surveys for approximately $5,000; the policy states the board shall first endeavor to administer the survey through an independent third-party vendor but does not require a paid vendor. Several members noted that because this was a first reading the policy could still be revised and returned to the policy committee for edits before a subsequent vote.

A motion was made to add "equity and inclusivity in the school environment" back into the design and content section. The clerk called a roll; the transcript records at least one "No" on the proposed addition and contains spoken affirmations from several members, but does not provide a complete, named tally in the record. As recorded, the first reading remains open for revision and further committee consideration.

Next steps: the policy remains at first reading; board members were encouraged to submit language suggestions to the policy committee for the next meeting.