DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMUNITY DISTRICT BOARD OF

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DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMUNITY DISTRICT

BOARD OF EDUCATION

RESOLUTION

DECLARATION OF BEING AN ANTI-RACIST INSTITUTION

A RESOLUTION of the Board of Education of the Detroit Public Schools Community

District (“Board”) declaring Detroit Public Schools Community District (“District”) to be an anti-

racist institution.

WHEREAS, we acknowledge that racism and its effects, including economic injustice, are

embedded in all social institutions as well as in ourselves. This we know is true;

WHEREAS, we know that implicit bias manifests in police interactions with Black and

brown people that too often end tragically. We know that racial disparities in health care exist and

were made obvious by the COVID-19 pandemic when Black, brown and poor persons suffered

from little or no access to treatment. We know that inequities in mental health occur as persons

go undiagnosed or untreated only to be ridiculed or criminalized. We acknowledge that the social,

economic and ecological health of our planet is imperiled by the deepening divisions in our world

caused by inequitable and unjust distribution of power and resources. And of course, we know

that the State of Michigan school funding is inequitable as affluent suburban, metro-Detroit school

districts enjoy two times the per pupil funding as the District and other urban Michigan school

districts due to the hold harmless aspects of local mileages and results in fewer services or

programs for the students who are most in need;

WHEREAS, we know that all of these matters impact learning by Detroit’s school children;

WHEREAS, we acknowledge the impact of racism on the educational outcomes and social-

emotional wellbeing of our students and the interconnection among oppressions (race, class,

national origin, ethnicity, ability, gender, sexual orientation and religion). Accordingly, we further

our efforts by making an institutional commitment to end racism and all forms of oppression;

WHEREAS, the history of Detroit Public Schools and the Detroit Public Schools

Community District includes evidence of both great commitment and individual achievement in

the struggle for racial justice as well as the failure of our institutional policies and practices to

respond fully to the call for educational justice; and

WHEREAS, the Board has considered this matter in open session.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Detroit Public Schools Community District makes

the following commitments:

1. We are committed to eradicating racism, bigotry, hate and violence in any form that

is not reflective of the educational community we strive to support.

2. We are committed to honest and transparent transformation of District culture and

practices so students, families, community members and staff feel visible,

respected and connected.

3. We are committed to developing and implementing an Equity Strategic Framework

that looks to examine policy, curriculum and instructional practice to center the

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needs of our students and the experiences of those that have been historically and

institutionally oppressed. This framework will also outline expectations for all

employees to be reflective about their own biases, intentional about how to shift

their practice, supportive of all identities and deliberately engaged in anti-racist

strategies such as elevating student voice to directly confront injustices (“Anti-

racism Training”).

4. We are committed to all Board members and staff engaging in ongoing Anti-racism

Training, to examine basic assumptions, structures and functions. In response to

what is learned, each staff member will be expected to: (i) develop action plans for

the welfare of our students; (ii) identify his/her own implicit biases; and (iii) take

steps to ensure that his/her own biases do not result in the unfair management,

unjust handling or mistreatment of students. If a staff member violates the

principles taught in this training and/or takes action prohibited by District policy,

he/she will be subject to discipline up to and including termination. This is how

we will take action to stop racist behavior in the District.

5. We are committed to transforming the racist practices of our educational institution

and public policies. We will engage in deep learning, dialogue, action steps and

establish relationships with other organizations that are working to dismantle

racism.

6. We are committed to engaging only with partners or businesses that actively work

to eradicate racist behaviors and policies and promote inclusive environments for

students and families. We expect partners, contracted businesses and bargaining

units to engage in ongoing Anti-racism Training and to examine basic assumptions,

structures and functions.

7. Finally, we are committed to engaging students, families and community members

in learning about anti-racism and in developing action plans for change. District

Administration will monitor and assess the District’s transformation as an anti-

racist organization and the Board will receive annual updates specifically on the

programs and resources dedicated to assisting our District in carrying out the

objectives of these commitments.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, as we remember George Floyd, Ahmaud Aubrey,

Breonna Taylor and the many others named and unnamed who were senselessly deprived of the

breath of life, liberty and justice – we vow to deliberately engage in analysis and action to eradicate

racism. Racism is a disease that has far too long ravaged our city, state and nation and we can no

longer bear the burden of behavior, systems or institutions that allow for knees on necks for 8

minutes and 46 seconds. As an anti-racist institution, we decry such activity and will take action

that respects the humanity of every student. This we know is true.

RESOLVED this 16

day of June, 2020.

BOARD OF EDUCATION

OF THE DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS

COMMUNITY DISTRICT

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By: ____________________________________

Iris A. Taylor, Ph.D, President

Detroit Public Schools Community District

Board of Education

By: ____________________________________

Angelique Peterson-Mayberry, Vice President

Detroit Public Schools Community District

Board of Education

By: ____________________________________

Sonya Mays, Treasurer

Detroit Public Schools Community District

Board of Education

By: ____________________________________

Misha Stallworth, Secretary

Detroit Public Schools Community District

Board of Education

By: _____________________________________

Georgia Lemmons, Member

Detroit Public Schools Community District

Board of Education

By: ____________________________________

Deborah Hunter-Harvill, Ed.D, Member

Detroit Public Schools Community District

Board of Education

By: ____________________________________

Bishop Corletta Vaughn, Member

Detroit Public Schools Community District

Board of Education

Certification:

I certify that this Resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Education of the Detroit Public

Schools Community District at a properly-noticed open meeting held with a quorum present on

the 16

day of June 2020.

_____________________________________

Misha Stallworth, Board Secretary

Detroit Public Schools Community District

Board of Education