The Definition of Insanity...
Greetings, Damon Barone, Alief ISD parent, taxpayer, and alumnus
In the true spirit of education I want to start off by citing my source, Alief ISD School Board Policy AE(LOCAL) - EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY.
As I read the board policy I want you all to reflect on your interactions with the district, Coach HD Chambers, and the school board. The policy has a strong relationship to student outcomes, it too is reflective in each Campuses Improvement Plan, class size waivers, and many other concerns.
The mission of the Alief Independent School District, in collaboration with family and community, is to provide an exemplary education that values diversity of race, culture, gender, learning ability, and socioeconomic background in an environment that is equitable for all students and free of stereotypical expectations to ensure both a physically and mentally safe environment.
The District's SMART core values include: Systemwide research based practices resulting in student growth, academic achievement, and social and emotional wellness. Meaningful work on self, leading to meaningful relationships with others. Accessibility to differentiated and appropriate resources promoting understanding and inclusivity. Respect for diversity and pride in one's own identity without infringing on the rights of others. Thoughtful decision making, utilizing the lens of equity as its true north.
The Board is committed to holding itself accountable by examining disaggregated achievement and discipline data through the lens of and based on the principles of equity. The purpose of this process is to quickly identify disproportionality or other disparities that may unintentionally create barriers for District students to access full and complete educational opportunities, which provides the foundation to social advancement and general prosperity.
Alief ISD Board Goals:
The District shall identify and eradicate all barriers that have persisted and caused achievement gaps between various ethnic groups, students with and without disabilities, or any other marginalized groups; and commit to closing the achievement gaps to ensure all students reach their fullest academic and social potential.
The District shall recruit, develop, and retain racially and linguistically diverse and culturally competent administrative, instructional, and support staff, and shall provide professional development and other learning opportunities that will support the deep understanding and skill attainment for eliminating racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in achievement and discipline representation among various groups.
The District shall build positive relationships with stakeholders as valuable contributors in the education of every student by welcoming and empowering students and their families regardless of their first language; national origin; gender; gender identity; family structure; or cultural, racial, or ethnic diversity.
Educational equity in the District means striving for the absence of disparities so all students can excel and succeed in a rigorous learning environment. Equity is achieved through transparent evaluation of stated goals and continuous progress. Assessing equity requires comparing data, research, and social determinants among the more and less advantaged groups to assist the District in creating programs, policies, and fair allocation of finances and resources to give all students equitable opportunities to succeed.
The Board shall hold all Board Members, the Superintendent, and all school personnel accountable for implementation of this policy through the District's Board and Administration Core Beliefs, Commitments, Priorities, and Equity score card, as well as performance objectives included in the Superintendent's contract.
As I close, let me reiterate, that I want everyone under the sound of my voice to take what is written in School Board Policy AE (Local) and reflect on your own interactions with the district, Coach HD Chambers, the school board, and ask if the district is upholding their promises to each of you.
There are three type of Alief ISD interactions one may receive, the first is a cult like following of anything that Coach HD Chambers says or does, the second possible interaction is of people who know the right things to say and do but they are deathly scared of the retaliation from Coach Chambers and his cult like followers, the third possible interaction is of being a person continuing to fight for what is right, and the district and board turning a blind eye, and their backs on the person standing for righteousness.
The definition of insanity is doing the exact same thing yet expecting different results. The definition of Alief ISD’s insanity is knowing the right things to do by students, parents, community members and staff, yet continuing to do the opposite of what is written in policy, and the districts mission statement.
Student outcomes will not improve here in Alief until adult behaviors change.
It is for these reasons, and many others that I have decided to run for the November 02, 2021, Alief ISD School Board election, Position #7.
It is time for a new voice, and new direction for our district; especially on the school board, and I intend to be the voice for the students, by the parents, of OUR community.
New voice, new direction.
Damon Barone, Alief ISD parent, taxpayer, and alumnus.