Police-Involved Shootings 'Overwhelming': Heights Superintendent

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — The wave of police-involved shootings in the U.S. has been "heartbreaking and overwhelming," Heights Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby said.

In an open letter to the community, Kirby waded into the mental anguish spreading through her student body and staff following the verdict in the Derek Chauvin case and several officer-involved shootings.

Citing the deaths of Adam Toledo in Chicago, Daunte Wright in Minneapolis, and Ma'Khia Bryant in Columbus, Kirby said there has been a "wave of angst, grief, anger, and sadness."

"Like many of you, I am most concerned about the impact of these events on our students. They may have questions about these events and its impact in our society. They may feel fear or anxiety as these events continue to unfold. They may wonder what, if anything, can be done to prevent these tragedies from occurring," she wrote.

To give students a space to share their anxieties and to build relationships, Heights High teacher Johnnie Lemons hosted a conversation with his Criminal Justice class on Friday. The Cleveland Heights police department was invited and students and officers built a dialogue.

"It was an incredible session and I learned a lot from the students and the officers in attendance," Kirby said.

The superintendent also highlighted her district's equity policy, which guides policies to better aid all members of the school community, she said. By the end of the year, all school staff will have started implicit bias training and will continue to undergo professional development, she noted.

The Cleveland Heights police department is hosting a virtual community meeting on a series of proposed policy reforms on Tuesday. Kirby encouraged Heights residents to attend.

"These initiatives here in the District and the community won’t change the world overnight. But they are an important part of shaping our world into what we want for ourselves and our children. They will help us heal as a community and grow into something even more beautiful. Thank you for being a partner in this mission," she said.