Equity Policy Development
The Olympia School District is committed to creating an equitable school district that serves ALL students well. As part of that commitment, the district is developing and implementing an Equity Policy that will include procedures and accountability measures. The policy will be collaboratively designed with the community to ensure a more inclusive school and work culture that promotes equity and addresses systemic and institutional barriers that have historically marginalized students, staff and families.
Background
The Olympia School Board held two work sessions – one on December 16, 2021 and another on March 3, 2022 – to discuss the development of an OSD Equity Policy.
Equity Policy Steering Committee
An Equity Policy Steering Committee, including representation from students, staff, families and community members, scheduled its first meeting on March 17, 2022. The committee’s goal is to determine the best ways to authentically engage with the community and gather feedback that will inform the development of an Equity Policy.
OSD Equity Policy Steering Committee Membership
(current as of April 11, 2022)
Adia Waters, Student
Autumn Lara, OSD Staff
Bill S. Kallappa II, Community Member
Claire Beagle, Parent
Jason Lee, Community Member
Jay Banks, Community Member
Katie Savinski, OSD Staff
Katy Johansson, Olympia Education Foundation and Parent
Kindra Galan, CIELO
Kris Peters, Local Tribal Leader, Parent and Community Member
Maria Flores, Olympia School Board President
Michelle Pineda, Student
Parfait Bassale, Community Member
Patrick Murphy, Superintendent
Rebekah Gabrielle Ponte, Student
Sandra Gordon, OSD staff
Scott Clifthorne, Olympia School Board Director
Tiera Garrety, Student
Tyron Nixon, Parent
Equity Policy Community Zoom Webinar Held April 13, 2022
Tentative Timeline
- December 2021-March 2022: Olympia School Board discusses Equity Policy development during two board work sessions.
- March 2022: Equity Policy Steering Committee convenes.
- April-June 2022: Students, staff, families and community members invited to engage in Equity Policy development through in-person and/or online focus groups, and other forms of engagement/communication.
- Summer 2022: School Board develops draft Equity Policy based on community engagement.
- September 2022: Students, staff, families and community members invited to provide feedback on draft Equity Policy.
- October 2022: Olympia School Board votes on Equity Policy and accompanying procedure.
Resources