Earlier this summer, LexPride contacted various local organizations in an effort to build awareness for the nationwide “Open to All Campaign.” In my capacity as Superintendent of the Lexington Public Schools, LexPride asked me to:
Make a pledge to serve all in our school system equally and without discrimination
Display the “Open to All” graphic at central office or on our Lexington Public Schools website
Commit to enrollment in an anti-bias or diversity training within one year
Express my interest in speaking briefly at a public “Open to All” kick-off event
It would be my honor to make a personal pledge to participate in all of LexPride’s local “Open to All” efforts. Given our focus on equity and our strong desire to create an inclusive environment where all students and staff feel a sense of belonging in our schools, I think it would send a powerful message to the school community if the Lexington School Committee were to join me in making a public declaration in support of LexPride’s local “Open to All” campaign.
The LexPride campaign aligns with the School Committee’s policy of nondiscrimination that extends to students, staff, the general public, and individuals with whom it does business. The policy states that “No person shall be excluded from or discriminated against in admission to a public school of any town or in obtaining the advantages, privileges, and courses of study of such public school on account of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.”
Recommendation to School Committee: Motion to go on record in strong support of LexPride’s “Open to All” local campaign, authorizing the Superintendent of Schools to make a pledge to serve all in our school system equally and without discrimination; to display the “Open to All” graphic at central office and/or on the website; and to willingly commitment the Superintendent-School Committee team to participate in anti-bias or diversity training within one year.