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Statement Against Racism & Violence
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To our Springboro Families:

Over the past several days, we have watched protests call for equality after the tragic, and unjust, killing of George Floyd. Numerous people of all ages and backgrounds engaged in nonviolent, peaceful protests to speak out against racism and injustice, including a recent event organized by two of our own SHS students at North Park in Springboro.

Unfortunately, we’ve also witnessed violence in communities across our nation, as a response to the failure to recognize all people as equal under the law. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Springboro Schools stands in solidarity with the fight against racial injustice. We do not condone racism or violence. With a long-standing Board of Education policy on equity and non-discrimination, as well as diversity training programs centered around cultural competency, Springboro Schools is committed to promoting a culture of respect, tolerance, and inclusion for all people.

Our students will seek desperately to understand these events as they continue to unfold. As parents, business leaders, community members, and educators, we must listen and respond with both honesty and empathy. We must also instill in our youth the courage to stand up against racism, injustice, and inequality through nonviolent means.

Current events demonstrate both the urgency and fundamental importance of embedding in our schools the values and importance of eliminating racism and implicit bias, the principle of identifying and closing inequities in educational opportunities and achievement, and the urgency of promoting thoughtful expression and moral courage. While exposure to diversity in our own classrooms and workforce leaves more to be desired, we recognize this is a journey that will require us to continue to listen and grow as a school community.

It is the obligation of our school district to provide equity in education to every single student. It is imperative that we engage in this work together for ourselves, for each other, and especially for the good of our greater community. Together, let us find strength in our shared humanity.

Sincerely,

Carrie Hester, Interim-Superintendent

Jamie Belanger, Board of Education President

Dan Gudz, Board of Education Vice President

Charles Anderson, Board of Education Member

Lisa Babb, Board of Education Member

Dave Stuckey, Board of Education Member