Dear Members of the School Committee and Superintendent Botelho,

It is 2023 and the Sharon Public Schools must protect and support all of our students. Anti-Black racism, homophobia, transphobia, antisemitism, anti-Asian hate, and Islamophobia are in our schools. Families are struggling, staff are overwhelmed, and building administrators are in desperate need of full-time centralized support in dealing with bias incidents and structural inequities that negatively impact educational outcomes. Our BIPOC and LGBTQA+ students and families have clearly communicated that they are experiencing harm; we cannot allow this to continue one more year.

We, the undersigned, call on you to budget for a full-time position of Executive Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging who will develop a district-wide strategic plan working directly with the Superintendent’s Office and school leadership.

We are also writing in support of former School Committee Chair, Tanya Lewis’ five point plan shared at the January 25, 2023 School Committee meeting:

1. Hire a full-time DEI director
2. Hire more diverse teachers and administrators, including the current principal search
3. Create a standing item on the School Committee agenda where the Superintendent accounts for racial incidents in the schools
4. Develop disciplinary and restorative actions to drive accountability
5. Increase training for teachers and staff around Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Teachers, staff, parents, and students in each of our schools are doing what they can to make our diverse town inclusive and equitable. They need centralized support and a unified plan. Let’s back their efforts by creating this office and full-time position to lead the district in a strategic and comprehensive way so that all of our children can feel that they belong and achieve academic excellence.

Thank you for doing what is necessary to make this full-time position a reality in 2024. A strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging will benefit all of our children, and the community at large.