ISD 196 Appoints Director Of Equity And Inclusion

EAGAN, MN—Independent School District 196 has filled the district’s new position for director of equity and inclusion, ISD 196 Superintendent Mary Kreger announced in a news release.

Virgil Jones previously served as the assistant principal and athletics director of Apple Valley High School. Prior to his work at ISD 196, Jones worked at Gustavus Adolphus College as the assistant dean of students and the director of the school’s Office of Multicultural Programs, the release said.

The new position of director of equity and inclusion is part of Kreger’s plan to improve equity and inclusion, as well as address systemic racism in the district, the superintendent said.

“Equity and inclusion are considered in almost every decision we make,” Kreger said in the press release. “Virgil is a proven leader in this area and exactly the right person to move our district forward with this critical work.”

As director of equity and inclusion, Jones will oversee a coordinator, as well as a team of advocates who will help provide services to students and families of color, and multilingual families, the release said.

The release said that Jones will also assist in leading the district’s Equity Advisory Council, which was recommended by Kreger and approved by the school board last year. The Council reviews data and programs, offers multiple perspectives, participates in community outreach, and can make recommendations to the superintendent’s cabinet to ensure equity and reduce predicting a student's achievements based on gender, race, special education status, or social class.

“I look forward to working with students, parents, staff and members of our district learning community to create educational environments where every student feels welcome and excited about learning,” Jones said in the news release. “Our schools should continue to improve cultural awareness in all classrooms and be brave spaces for voices of inclusion.”