A special committee made up of Saucon Valley parents, teachers, police, clergy, administrators, community members and students will present a draft plan–the Saucon Valley School District Equity Plan–that includes recommendations to help promote tolerance, ease racial tension and encourage diversity in schools to the school board Tuesday, March 28 at their meeting at 7 p.m. in the high school Audion room.
Under a section about Shared Values and Beliefs on Inclusion and Equity, the draft plan states, “the Inclusion/Equity Committee members propose that additional language be incorporated into the language of our shared values statement as part of a district equity plan. It is the intention of the committee that this plan will become part of the district’s next comprehensive plan.”
One of the statements is as follows:
As a community resource, all members of our community should feel welcomed and thus we will, as a school district community, be mindful of ensuring that we promote activities and events that welcome all and we will refrain from allowing the display of signs and symbols that could create an unwelcoming environment.
Ron Salmon, a member of the volunteer committee that’s been meeting since late last year, said this recommendation could encompass a ban on something like the Confederate flag, which some Americans say is a symbol of their heritage, while others view it as offensive, and have objected to it being displayed in public places.
In a just-published Rolling Stone article about contemporary American politics and the response to racism in local schools, “Inside the Trump Effect: How One District is Facing Hate at School” by Ben Wofford, two recent incidents involving the Confederate flag at Saucon Valley were highlighted.
In one of those a flag was reportedly thrown on a minority student by a white student in a school hallway. In another, a local parent picked up his son in a pickup flying the Confederate flag, which superintendent Monica McHale-Small said was upsetting to some families. The magazine reported that the man removed the flag–photos of which had been shared on social media–before he was approached about it.
Salmon said a thorough review of the student handbook was another task undertaken by the committee, which will be recommending that stronger, more specific language be incorporated into future versions of the document.
“There were statements in place that could be construed as being against hate speech,” but were non-specific, he said.
Although the policy is essentially zero tolerance for harassment, the wording references ongoing incidents, so a single incident might not fit the definition.
There is also no specific prohibition against hate speech, Salmon said, adding that in general the inclusion committee wants the definition of harassment to “be a bit more clear.”
He said it’s hoped that the recommendations, if accepted, will help “actively encourage diversity” and called them “first steps.”
Referencing the Rolling Stone article, he said, “we’re now in the national spotlight, and we’re going to be judged on how we react to this.”
Salmon is a father of three, including two children who are currently students at Saucon Valley, and said he volunteered to be part of the inclusion committee after hearing about its formation.
Over three or four meetings that sometimes lasted hours he said as many as two dozen members talked about the recent race-related events that have alarmed some families, such as a high school fight in October between a black student and a white student who police say made a racist video and posted it on Snapchat.
“We also talked about the need to hire a more diverse group of teachers,” Salmon said. “That’s often an issue with hiring.”
“We frankly don’t hire teachers that often,” and when Saucon does, he said, they may not receive many minority applicants. “Improving that area of things can take a while. … We don’t want to be the community that’s complacent about this kind of thing.”
The overarching mission of Saucon Valley School District as stated in the draft plan is “to ensure learning and inspire students to succeed in life and contribute to society.”
It goes on to describe a district vision for staff, students and community as well as these “shared values:”
- The school community values individuals from a variety of cultural and family backgrounds.
- All students can achieve their potential when provided with opportunities and resources that target their individual learning needs.
- All students and staff are entitled to a safe, positive, and orderly school environment.
- All students and staff work with a relevant curriculum and adaptable instructional program.
- Successful curricular and extra-curricular experiences promote positive self-concept and contribute to improved individual performances.
- Student success is dependent on the partnership between families and the school community.
- All members of the school community will be accountable for attaining academic and behavioral standards.
- Each individual needs knowledge and skills to function effectively in a rapidly changing society.
- Each individual is unique and deserves respect.
- The district campus serves as a resource for the community.
