SSCSD Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion BOE Workshop

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Board of Education will be holding a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. The workshop, which is open to the public, will update board members and community members of the work the District Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee has been doing and how it aligns with the NYS Board of Regents Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Framework. 

What is Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion? The district describes the work their committee is doing that will be shared with the BOE on Tuesday in the following statement on their website: 

“The District Equity & Inclusion Committee supports our district’s Pathways Vision and ongoing work in creating a more equitable, inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment for all students, staff, and community members. The committee has been engaged in conversation and is developing action plans to recommend policies and implement practices designed to promote diversity, facilitate growth in becoming a culturally competent school community, and improve access, opportunity, and outcomes for all students.” 

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Patton stresses that the district’s DEI policy has never been discussed as, and is different from, Critical Race Theory.

However, some local parents feel the policy is just another name for CRT. 

“Why are whites supposedly automatically racist, and why are minorities supposedly victims,” said Brian B. of Saratoga Springs. “I’ve known plenty of blacks and Latinos who were downright brilliant. These systems hold everyone back. My family is mixed race and these policies make me sick.” 

Another concerned parent was surprised when his son came home and said that the principal at Maple Avenue Middle School had made an announcement that students should wear an orange t-shirt next week to support the district’s commitment to DEI. 

“DEI is just a kinder, gentler way of saying CRT,” stated Ed S. “When you use a term like ‘marginalized students,’ which is a broad label applied to minority students, and the policy is to uplift the marginalized students by having the non-marginalized student realize they are privileged, and because of their privileged status, yield to marginalized students, how is that any different from CRT?” 

Ed added, “When I look at the members of the committee putting this together, it doesn’t seem like a fair representation of conservatives and progressives. I am just looking for it to be a conversation or series of conversations with other concerned parents to share our thoughts collectively on this topic.” 

Want to learn more about the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion policy and get involved in the discussion? Stay tuned to the district website events calendar at www.saratogaschools.org for links and further information on how to attend the workshop and future District Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion meetings.