Purpose:

To collaboratively examine equity and access barriers for students and families of Meridian School District. We will develop an equity policy and an equity analysis tool, a requirement from OSPI for our Academic and Student Well Being Recovery Plan. Our aim is to better understand and address eliminating barriers so we may recognize, embrace, and protect the dignity of each student as a valued and important member of our school community.

Basis for Establishment:

  • Develop a foundational understanding of equity and access aligned with the Vision, Purpose, and Collective Commitments of Meridian School District.
  • Increase the diversity of voices and welcome multiple perspectives to fully understand the experiences of all students and families.
  • Education is a generational endeavor for all students.
  • Disparities exist in our student performance data pertaining to historically underrepresented students, e.g., students from communities of color, poverty, first-generation, LGBTQ+, learning disabilities, and others.
  • Our strategic plan calls for the elimination of these disparities and increasing the diversity of certificated, classified, and administrative staff to reflect the composition of our student population.

Plan of Work:

  • Examine Vision, Purpose, and Collective Commitments.
  • Increase awareness of barriers to equity and access.
  • Develop a common language and purpose for this work.
  • Increase recognition and opportunities for multiple communities to see themselves represented and celebrated in Meridian School District – whether it be in their school building, the staff, and acknowledgment of them within the district.
  • Develop an equity policy.
  • Develop an equity analysis tool.
  • Serve as a guiding body to the work and programs of the district.

Members: (up to 20 members)

  • Arushi Narinder, MHS student
  • Addie Sosa, MHS student
  • Jyoti Bajwa, IRE parent
  • Tom Stratton, IRE and MHS parent
  • Jeremy Wang, IRE and MMS parent
  • Sunshine McKay, MMS and MP3 parent
  • Tawny Kemp, MMS parent
  • Brad Roberson, MHS parent
  • Allison Hill, MHS parent
  • Brett Muskavage, MMS counselor
  • Carol Trower, IRE teacher
  • Penny Rosen, IRE teacher
  • Michael Sundlin, MMS teacher
  • Laura Lupo, mental health coordinator
  • Kurt Harvill, Assistant Superintendent
  • Adrienne Somera, Director of Teaching and Learning
  • James Everett, Superintendent, committee chair

Meetings:

Meetings will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Meridian Learning Center. Additional meetings on April 27 and May 25 will be added if necessary.