Elmbrook School Board Votes To Exclude Proposed Equity Principles

BROOKFIELD, WI — The Elmbrook School Board voted this week to leave proposed equity principles out of its district strategy map.

The board voted 6-1 Tuesday to omit proposed equity principles from its strategy map and pass equity discussions to the district administration after weeks of deliberation.

Some board members said that they wanted to focus on the fall school year and postpone the discussion on equity principles. Some commented that the time wasn't right and others noted the heated discussion around the topic.

The equity principles were drafted by a non-negotiable working group made of school parents, alumni, staff and administrators. The group was formed after over 1,000 students and alumni signed a petition in June 2020, calling the district out for a lack of response to injustice and leaving students unprepared for cultural discussion when they get to college.

The principles include plans to recruit a talented and diverse workforce and remove barriers from teaching and learning.

Chris Thompson, an official with the school, explained that the principles would not be implemented in class curriculum during the board meeting.

"By presenting the district map and equity principles together, we're sending a valuable message to all current and future students and staff members that you are seen, you are valued, there is a place for you in our school district and the work guided by our equity principles is a strategic priority." he said.

Thompson also cited a recent survey saying that 10 percent of students and staff said they didn't feel safe in Elmbrook Schools. There are 7,400 students enrolled in the district right now.

According to the latest strategy map, only 6 percent of staff members identify as a person of color, which is 25 percent less than the student population.

Chris Thompson said the equity principles were not a curriculum or a program.

See also: Elmbrook Schools Board Hearing Over 'Equity Principles' Contended

Jean Lambert, vice president of the school board, said she supported the principles to make sure all students had access and that all students had a sense of belonging, including the 10 percent in the survey.

Over a dozen parents spoke in a listening session before the debate while more sat in the meeting room and stood in the hall outside in the district office.

Some of the speakers accused the school board of promoting critical race theory, repeating a nationwide argument led by Republican legislators. But school officials again denied any incorporation of so-called critical race theory into their curriculum. Discussion over equity principles has gone on for weeks.