Kieran Bell

Discussions focused on several key areas, including reporting back from the Board of Education (BOE) regarding a curriculum audit request, and addressing issues related to bias incidents at the Middle School concerning the 'No Place for Hate' and 'Community Building Groups'. Recommendations were discussed for improving group facilitation and ensuring administrators are aware of parental concerns. The committee showed interest in attending an 'Undoing Racism Workshop' and planned logistics for scheduling it. Significant time was dedicated to the need for a curriculum audit, emphasizing student perspectives on cultural narratives and addressing gaps in the Global Studies curriculum, including the lack of coverage on American Tribes. Discussions also covered empowering students through an 'Ed Camp' concept, the importance of a shared glossary of racial equity terminology, and the potential expansion of Hispanic Appreciation Day. The committee explored the proposal for a Multicultural Center at the High School, including potential partnerships with SUNY New Paltz. Agenda items tabled for later included the code of conduct/student handbooks review and the Superintendent search process.

The meeting established the Chair and Minute Taker for the subsequent meeting and confirmed dates for the next two meetings. Updates from the Board of Education Liaisons included sharing an anti-racist policy and information regarding the new PPS Director. New Business featured a review of a committee video, leading to action items such as updating member roles, identifying a location for video upload, and refining communication for soliciting new members. The committee voted unanimously to accept two new instructional staff applicants and conducted a membership audit to identify open positions across various categories. Term expirations for current members were reviewed. The group also planned to invite Highland representatives to the July meeting to discuss REIAC creation. Old Business included tabling the review of the racist incident protocol due to leadership changes, pausing the sharing of specific professional development resources with the BOE, and tabling discussions on ground rules for meetings and the committee's overall vision and yearly wrap-up.

The meeting addressed several key areas including a Visitor Management System discussion, focusing on concerns regarding the proposed Lobby Guard system's reliance on government-issued IDs and potential exclusion of caregivers. The committee considered issuing a statement on School Resource Officers (SRO's) and polled members interested in attending Undoing Racism training. Discussions on the Code of Conduct focused on expanding beyond the successful dress code policy to topics like Bias Incident Reporting, requesting historical data logs on incidents such as racial or sexual harassment to identify patterns. Further review of the Code of Conduct focused on accessibility, the potential for restorative justice practices like 'circles,' and ensuring students are aware of their rights and responsibilities. Regarding faculty/staff support, concerns were raised about a problematic definition of systemic racism used in prior training, and recommendations were discussed for supporting marginalized faculty, possibly through anonymous micro-aggression reporting. For curriculum, the proposal focused on utilizing existing resources for Racial Curriculum Maps and recommending a current curriculum audit.

Key discussions included reporting updates to the BOE, scheduling the next REIAC meeting, and organizing a listening session regarding interactions with the police. The group addressed community agreements compilation, a BOE update approving a website change to include an anti-racist glossary, and the need to reevaluate the Undoing Racism workshop retreat dates. Significant time was spent addressing DASA reporting requirements, noting a lack of accessibility and understanding for parents and caregivers, and the need to continue restorative justice work. Further deliberation focused on the REIAC Action Plan possibly being outdated under a new superintendent and the merits of crafting an NPCSD anti-racist draft plan. Finally, the group discussed equity issues related to student discipline, specifically classroom 'rules,' virtual detention, and the mandatory use of cameras during virtual instruction, advocating for leniency and clarity on online expectations.

The meeting included a review of the REIAC Immediate Priorities Task List and an update on the last Board of Education (BOE) report out. Key new business involved the review and approval of a drafted statement outlining REIAC's history, mission, and initiatives for the District Budget Newsletter requested by BOCES. Discussions centered on updating immediate priorities, specifically regarding the forthcoming BOE anti-racism policy implementation, the recommendation for a special meeting or retreat with the BOE, and the suggestion that the BOE focus on curriculum development and implementing policy measures like the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) training. REIAC recommended that its suggested anti-racism programs (like Steinhardt) begin by Fall 2021, teacher evaluations be tied to anti-racist curriculum, and REIAC be a standing committee. Ongoing business addressed questions for the Superintendent concerning COVID-19 testing protocol accessibility, collecting data on student performance, attendance, and mental health, and the review of the Anti-Racism Policy Draft.