On Tuesday 01/19 ABC USD began the discussion on approving the new Equity job classification, job description, and range which will be effective July 1, 2021. Next Board Meeting (02/02) they will continue the discussion on the following proposed job duties:

• Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Equity and Diversity Plan for the District to address the Equity Board Policy and various areas of the District's Strategic Plan;

• Work with the District departments, programs, and schools to identify creative and concrete metrics of success, based on the District's Equity and Diversity Plan, which include increases in demographic diversity, but move beyond this to assess improvements in school culture/climate as related to inclusivity and beyond;

• Serve as the District Title IX Compliance Officer for both students and employees;

• Serve as the District Title VI Compliance Officer for both students and employees;

• Collaborate with department and site administrators to promote a culture of inclusion and embrace differences as a strategic opportunity to lead the District's efforts to foster equitable opportunities and inclusion for all students, families, and employees;

• Actively lead the process to define, assess, nurture, and cultivate equity and diversity, and ensure reasonable opportunities and resources for the most at-risk groups of students;

• In coordination with Academic Services, create pathways to ensure college access for all students;

• In coordination with Academic Services, promote and support diverse curriculum and develop and identify resources that support all students;

• In coordination with Academic Services, understand the correlation of best practices, curriculum, inclusive pedagogy, and apprehend how social and cultural factors impact teaching and learning and work with site principals to ensure these become part of classroom practice;

• In coordination with Human Resources, ensure recruitment processes that reduce the disparity between the diversity in our student population and our faculty and staff;

• Conduct demographics and enrollment research; 

• Assume such other duties as the District may assign.

If you have input or would like to be apart of this developing position, continue to be present at board meetings and submit public comments. Your voice and perspective is important.

Here is the Board Meeting calendar for 2021: https://www.abcusd.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1158070&type=d&pREC_ID=1455914

And here is how to tune in/make public comments for future references: https://www.abcusd.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1157943&type=d&pREC_ID=1413370

Thank you to every single one of you who took the initiative to support the creation of this position. Whether you signed the petition, shared it, or voiced your support at the board meetings, this couldn’t have been made possible without you. Now, starting July 2021 an equity officer will be established to promote faculty representation, fair resources, and a diverse curriculum across campuses.

This isn’t the end nor the sole solution towards combatting inequalities/inequities, but it is a great start that we only hope to expand both in and outside of our schools. Continue to be vocal/involved to positively impact your community and those around you! There’s a lot of power in just one. Stay safe and take care!

Warmly, Cerys Rotondo cerys.gr@gmail.com