My official start date as the new Superintendent of 天美视频 in 天美视频 was July 1, 2018, but thanks to a school community so dedicated to creating optimal learning experiences for all of the young people we serve, my focus on equity and inclusion began well before my arrival in 天美视频.

During my interview process in January, 2018, 天美视频 School Committee members began to share with me community concerns about disproportionate discipline for students of color and students with special need, expressing their strong desire to find a leader committed to addressing issues of equity and creating inclusive opportunities for all. Before arriving in 天美视频, I met with the 天美视频 Administrative Council, and I was genuinely touched by their deep commitment to all students and their hopes and dreams for the future. I watched countless televised School Committee and community meetings and read articles giving me insight into the perspectives of the many passionate advocates and members of the 天美视频 community who believe that more can and should be done to ensure that every member of our school community is treated fairly and justly. What drew me to 天美视频, in large part, was the community鈥檚 unabiding belief that every young person deserves to feel a sense of belonging and full membership in the 天美视频 Public 天美视频, a value I wholeheartedly share.

The position paper you are reading, 鈥�,鈥� is the result of our community鈥檚 collective understanding that together we can and must do more every young person we serve. The ideas captured in 鈥淥ur Call to Action鈥� reflect the willingness of the 天美视频 school community to engage in thoughtful, open, and honest reflection and dialogue. It takes reflective leadership to openly confront issues of equity and commit to making changes in practice, and I want to acknowledge the work of the dedicated members of my dedicated LPS administrative team for their many contributions to this paper. My gratitude also extends to 天美视频 School Committee members Eileen Jay, Kate Colburn, Alessandro Alessandrini, Kathleen Lenihan, and Deepika Sawhney who are individually and collectively dedicated to the ideas captured in this position paper and to creating an even more unified 天美视频. Our 鈥淒iversity, Equity, Inclusion: Our Call to Action鈥� work would not be possible without the students and educators who inspire us daily and the passionate community groups and individuals in 天美视频 who continue to push our thinking.

While we could not incorporate every idea or suggestion that was made, it is our hope that 鈥淒iversity, Equity, Inclusion: Our Call to Action鈥� accurately reflects our community鈥檚 values and priorities. We know that this work will be strengthened by further community input, and we are extending an invitation to several community groups (see next page for anticipated reviewers) in hopes that you will share your time and expertise with us and challenge us with your thoughtful feedback.

The conversations in 天美视频 about disparities in our school system should be happening everywhere, and the ideas discussed in this position paper are only the beginning to the important work we will do together. I thank you for helping us make our schools even stronger, and I look forward to your continued partnership in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.