Upper Arlington Education Coalition

During the June 9, 2023 Board Meeting

Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DEI) is discussed at minute 49:40.

The Board approved the Resignation of Matt Boaz, the Executive Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.  However, the Resignation does not occur until October.  Mr. Boaz is currently working from home.  He will be expected to work with the new DEI firm until October.

The District is in the process of hiring a DEI company to analyze Upper Arlington Schools.  The company chosen, Insight Education Group, (IEG) believes systemic racism exists, and that is their starting point. It is to be a one year contract costing about $110,000. The Board was not presented the contract at the meeting.  It has not been voted on yet.

If the contract is approved, there will be a formal “needs assessment.”  There was mention of surveys and “Community Outreach.”   One of the statements made about the data said IEG  will track students and “how their success can vary depending on a student’s race, their language, income, zoning, mobility, ability and other different areas.”  

Several questions need to be answered if the schools utilize Insight Education Group.  Is the Mission of the Schools to “educate” the community?   Where will IEG be gathering personal information on students and families?  What access will IEG have to students?  Can parents opt out?  Contact the Board of Education if you have questions:  boe@uaschools.org

During the May 11, 2021 School Board meeting, the School Board passed a Resolution explaining that they needed to follow Building Code in order to get Permanent Building Occupancy for their new Elementary Schools.   A part of the Resolution stated that the Superintendent was to immediately change Windermere to only All Gender bathrooms if they won their case on Appeal.  In addition, the Superintendent was to go to Court to sue the City of UA to apply only All Gender bathrooms in all UA elementary buildings.

The District won on Appeal.  However, the Board decided in the fall of 2022 to halt any of these changes and let the students have a year without change after the pandemic.  The District leadership is now asking to update the Resolution to keep the bathrooms as they are currently:  Gender specific and Gender Neutral.  This allows the new Superintendent and the District to focus the finances on Academics rather than legal fees.  It allows Dr. Hunt to focus his time on the schools and not the Courts.

Click here to read the full Resolution from 2021.  Item 3 is the portion to be updated: Resolution May 11, 2021

Click here to read the Resolution that will be voted on at the June 13th meeting:   Resolution June 13, 2023