On July 19 at the Union Township Board of Education meeting the Board announced its decision to remove the Zoom component for the public meetings going forward.

On July 20, I emailed the board for an explanation as to the why behind this discriminatory action.  I received no response.  I emailed the Superintendent on August 2 to follow up and was told the Board has not reversed their decision.

Zoom and other virtual tools have been proven to provide equity, inclusion, and diversity.  We have been teaching our children that learning happens in differentiated modes. We have shown them how to include those who have been previously excluded due to a host of circumstances.  

We have the technology to provide everyone with access to be able to fully participate as a community member in the Board of education meetings.  That was proven based on the numbers alone as the number of people attending the meetings rose dramatically once we offered accessibility. 

People have a host of reasons that they need to have a virtual component, and I won't risk excluding anyone's individual need by trying to cover the range of merits.   However, I will mention that it  goes against the Americans with Disabilities Act to prevent someone from having access to public forums.

I have included the article below as an example of why Zoom and virtual options need to remain: 
https://propelnow.co/how-zoom-has-become-a-tool-for-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/

I am asking for your help to request that the Board reconsider this proposal of reversing accessibility, equity, and inclusion and to keep the Zoom option for our community.

Thank you,
Jennifer Brooks