Mtn. Brook Schools To Disassociate With Anti-Defamation League

MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL — Mountain Brook Schools announced June 14 its intentions to move forward with some of the recommendations of its newly formed Diversity Committee, but after input from parents the system has opted to change some of its plans moving forward.

Many of the parents of Mountain Brook students expressed concern over the Mountain Brook Board of Education's plans for its diversity initiative, namely the system's association with the Anti-Defamation League.

Related: Mountain Brook Acts On Diversity Committee Recommendations

"We would like to extend our gratitude to the parents and community members who have communicated with us directly to share their thoughts and ideas regarding Mountain Brook Schools’ decision to create a local program that promotes respect for all people and honors individual differences," Mountain Brook Schools said in a statement Tuesday.

Mountain Brook Schools issued an assurance to parents that the system's diversity initiative would no longer include framework from the ADL.

MBS has examined a variety of resources to provide local school committees a framework to guide their work. One program that was considered is the "No Place for Hate" framework that provides autonomy for schools to design their own diversity activities related to their community.

"In 2017, Mountain Brook Schools developed a strategic plan with four goals," superintendent Dicky Barlow said. "One goal is to develop structures to ensure that the school district honors diversity and that all who are associated with the school district are treated with respect.

"We believe our community stands behind this worthy goal. The MBS Diversity Committee made recommendations including consideration of local and national organizations as potential resources; one of which was the Anti-Defamation League. The ADL’s employee anti-bias training and No Place for Hate program were initially selected because of their flexibility in allowing local customization. Some members of our community voiced concerns about information on the ADL’s website not related to our anti-bias training or framework."

Barlow added, "The discord surrounding the resources has become a significant distraction, and we believe that we can more effectively continue our work independently of the ADL. MBS has opted to develop its own framework to address our goal of honoring diversity with the involvement of students, parents, teachers, and administrators at the local schools."

MBS has already provided anti-bias training for all faculty and staff. Provided by the ADL, the training was conducted virtually in small groups and focused on defining bias and establishing a culture of respect and safety in schools.

However, in its statement Tuesday, the system said Mountain Brook Schools will not use the "No Place for Hate" framework and will disassociate with the ADL.

"We realize that there are remaining questions regarding the anti-bias training that has already occurred," MBS said. "We will have more information for the community on this next week."

The Mountain Brook Schools Diversity Committee in December presented five recommendations to the school district to help it more effectively achieve one of its primary strategic goals: to develop or enhance structures and practices to ensure the school district honors individual differences, diversity, and the dignity of all, and that all members of the school community are treated with respect.

School officials said they have been made aware of other issues that are being connected to diversity at the national and state level. Mountain Brook Schools also made the following assurances:

1. MBS has not adopted any curriculum outlining diversity topics that will be implemented in MB classrooms, including Critical Race Theory.
2. MBS has not adopted any books in response to the diversity and inclusion initiatives.
3. MBS will not utilize any third-party reporting agencies or tools. Last year, MBS implemented its own local reporting processes.

"We value and appreciate the engagement of our parents in the lives of their children," MBS said. "It has always been a cornerstone in the foundation of who Mountain Brook is as a community."