Beachwood Schools Issue Anti-Racist Vow, Statement

BEACHWOOD, OH — The Beachwood Schools issued an anti-racist statement of conviction on Monday. The district said it is committed to breaking the nation's cycle of injustice.

"We embrace our organizational responsibility to dismantle practices that perpetuate structural racism in our school system and hold every Beachwood Schools employee responsible for doing so," the district said in its statement.

The school system said it is working on the following initiatives to become a more equitable district:

• Hiring African American and other educators from under-represented groups
• Providing equitable access to the district's services and opportunities
• Running implicit bias and restorative practices training for district staff
• Engaging all members of the Beachwood community
• Improve student leadership skills to address race, racism and respect for diversity
• Acknowledging racial disparity in student discipline practices

"Beachwood Schools has made tangible progress in these efforts but has a long, long way to go. The district aspires to provide ALL students with a rigorous education representative of our diverse backgrounds. We want to foster respect for the value of Black lives and awareness of unjust experiences and inadequate outcomes for Black and Brown students in America," the district said.

For more information on the district's anti-racist programs, visit the school system's website.

"We want to inspire active citizens who vote and engage in service to their communities, the nation and the world. In partnership with our students, graduates, and their families, the district is committed to breaking our country’s cycle of injustice and fulfilling our promise to each and every child," the district said.