Next steps
Thank you to everyone who has signed and shared! You all are amazing. Now, I need you all to contact school board members prior to this coming Tuesday’s (8/11) school board meeting to express your desire for these policies and protocols to be created and implemented. I’ve added a sample email (that you can use as a script for calling as well) if you are unsure of what to say! OR click the link for a prepopulated email where you only need to insert your name in the two places that say [YOUR NAME] https://efj.today/jghi3k75
School board contact info:
John F. Axselle III, Beaverdam District - Chairman
Phone: (804) 798-7782; email: SB-jaxselle@hcps.us
Ola J. Hawkins, Ashland District - Vice Chair
Phone: (804) 357-3743; email: SB-ohawkins@hcps.us
Kelly K. Evko, South Anna District
Phone: (804) 396-8228; email: SB-kevko@hcps.us
Sterling H. Daniel, Mechanicsville District
Phone: (804) 746-1887; e-mail: SB-sdaniel@hcps.us
Robert L. Hundley, Jr., Chickahominy District
Work: (804) 550-9222, Home: 730-3415; email: SB-rhundley@hcps.us
Norman K. Sulser, Cold Harbor District
Phone: (804) 746-0331; email: SB-nsulser@hcps.us
George E. Sutton, Henry District
Phone: (804) 779-3324; email: SB-gsutton@hcps.us
Sample email:
Dear Hanover School Board members,
I am writing today because of an important issue- there is an urgent and apparent need for new bylaws to be created that address racism and discrimination in our schools. In order to create safe, welcoming, equitable, and inclusive schools we must be actively working to be anti-racist. Bylaws that clearly define racism and discrimination in the context of our school system need to be written and explicitly stated so there is no ambiguity as to what qualifies as racist action or behavior. Additionally, clear protocols that staff and administrators will take when racist and discriminatory behaviors or actions occur need to be explicitly outlined so there is no more individual discretion in response to racism. I believe these policies would be best created in collaboration with a task force that is made up on students, staff, and community members, with emphasis of elevating the voices of Black, Indigenous, People of Color on this task force. I hope that you all will decide to move forward in creating a better school system that serves and meets the needs of all students.
Thank you,
Your name