Equity policy approved in split vote

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Parents, student protest

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Douglas County school board members approved changes to the district’s equity policy in a marathon nine-hour meeting on May 23.

e meeting started with a protest and board member Elizabeth Hanson resigning over concerns with the board’s direction.

e equity policy changes, mostly drafted by board president Mike Peterson and board member Christy Williams, passed by a 4-2 vote with Susan Meek and David Ray dissenting.

e updated policy includes an expanded de nition of diversity that includes identity, cognitive and instrumental diversities, as well as language outlining the purposes of the policy.

Expanding the de nition of diversity was the most contentious change to the equity policy with Meek and Ray arguing that it dilutes the original intent of the policy to address racism and bigotry in the district.

“Where do you stop,” Ray asked. “Let’s talk about social diversity, physical diversity, athletic diversity. I mean we could go on and on, but we’re losing sight of the reason for this policy. e reason for this policy is that we are in a system that continues to marginalize those who have been historically marginalized and that’s the problem.”

BUY TICKETS NOW AT PARKERARTS .ORG e board was able to compromise on keeping language about the district implementing an “unbiased, culturally relevant, responsive, and sustaining learning environment,” and not including elements of diversity such as learning preference or personality.

Meek noted that data from the 2021 Healthy Kids Colorado survey found 56% of Black students agreed they belong in schools compared to 71% of white students. District data on discipline practices indicate 41% of Black students in Douglas County schools were disciplined in 2021-22 compared to 16% of white students.

However, the other boards members didn’t agree that adding to the de nition diluted the intention.

“I struggle to nd a reason why not to add more diversity if we’re including all students,” Williams said.

Board member Kaylee Winegar said she originally wanted to repeal and replace the policy because she doesn’t feel it’s necessary, but agreed the proposed changes are a good compromise after hearing from community members that it’s important to them.

“I think the revisions in place keep the good and bring clarity and certainty to the concept that we, as a district, do not intend to elevate certain ideals and beliefs over others,” Winegar said.

Public commenters were split between those advocating to keep the original policy and those who wanted to repeal the policy but would settle for the proposed changes.

Peterson reiterated that the changes are mostly adding to the policy, not removing original language. He said that diversity, equity, inclusion policies may have good intent, but can be misimplemented, so his revisions are intended to prevent that.

“I think we’ve got (equity) pretty right in Douglas County, but we want to codify what ‘right’ means for Douglas County,” Peterson said.

Board members agreed on outlining purposes of the policy, such as inclusive access to programs, di erentiation of resources to help students acheive their potential and creating