by Mike Knaak
news@thenewsleaders.com
At the fourth listening session that’s part of the Sartell-S. Stephen school district’s Education Equity and Student Experience Committee, Superintendent Jeff Ridlehoover updated the audience of about 40 people on what the group has accomplished, described what’s next and took questions about the process.
The committee was formed last summer after an equity audit produced by consultant Equity Alliance MN stirred controversy. The district cut ties with the group and instead the district formed the committee to address issues raised almost two years ago and a year before Ridlehoover was hired.
“A lot was going on with our students having less than a stellar experience at school,” Ridlehoover told the group during the Feb. 16 listening session. “There was something that needed to be addressed.”
Ridlehoover appointed the committee made of students, parents, staff and community members. The committee started with 16 topics, those were narrowed to 10 topics with 34 subpoints. The most recent list of priorities, all the committee’s meeting notes and findings are available at www.sartell.k12.mn.us/equity.
Ridlehoover said the committee plans to meet on March 7 and if needed there could be another meeting in late April or early May to set the most urgent priorities and develop actions.
While some people at the listening session thanked the superintendent for the district’s efforts, other speakers repeated criticism they have made at previous meetings. Those criticisms focused on how the committee members were chosen and how the district defines equity.
The critics claimed that having half the committee made up of students was inappropriate and that committee selection passed over critics of the equity effort. In addition, the speakers questioned the district’s definition of equity and argued any final plans should stay away from race issues.
In his opening remarks, Ridlehoover posted the district’s equity policy that in part states “gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status or disability will not be predictors of student success” and pointed to the district’s website that in part says “we are committed to ensuring each child is part of a healthy, safe, engaged and supported environment. We reaffirm our promise to build an inviting culture where every child feels respected and valued.”
Ridlehoover encouraged the crowd to stay engaged on the topic and to contact him directly with opinions about priorities and action plans for solutions.
