Community organization urges Board of Education and district administration to continue initiative and retain committee in the wake of Superintendent’s departure
Yorktown for Justice (YFJ), a community group dedicated to advancing equity and justice for residents in Yorktown and beyond, reaffirms its support for the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiative and committee formed by the Lakeland Central School District Board (LCSD) Board of Education (BOE). It also strongly urges the board and Acting Superintendent, Dr. Karen Gagliardi, to continue forward with the important work started under Superintendent Dr. Brendan Lyons’ leadership.
“Due to Dr. Lyons’ unexpected and unfortunate departure, combined with misguided opposition from some community members and organizations, we have serious concerns that the future of this necessary committee is in jeopardy,” said Marisa Ragonese, YFJ Founder and DEI Committee Member. “The initial decision to pursue DEI work in the LCSD was because students and alumni shared their personal stories of discrimination in our schools. We must continue to move this committee forward – as many other neighboring districts are already doing – to ensure every single one of our students and staff feels supported and safe in our schools. We believe the existing programs in our schools are not achieving these goals, and that the various parent groups in opposition to DEI are spreading disinformation while playing politics with students’ lives.”
Dr. Lyons proposed the formation of the committee and the BOE approved it, appointing Dr. Gess LeBlanc, Associate Professor of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Hunter College, to moderate. Dr. LeBlanc has been a consultant in the district doing similar work at Copper Beech Middle School and is a trusted resource familiar with the LCSD community. The committee consists of approximately 30 members including parents, students, teachers, support staff, administrators, and board members. They identified four areas of focus: School Climate, Curriculum, Professional Development, and Staff Diversity.
Despite reports to the contrary, the committee has made extremely modest progress since being formed and has made no changes to the curriculum. To date, the committee has met four times and presented its goals at the June 10, 2021 board meeting. The immediate next step would be to collect data that paints a picture of school climate in order to identify areas for improvement.
Many neighboring districts recognize the importance of DEI in helping students navigate their current environment while preparing them for the future. Carmel, Katonah-Lewisboro, Mahopac and Yorktown are continuing with their DEI committees and student/club initiatives at all levels.
“It’s unfortunate that a positive initiative that supports the district’s mission and core beliefs has been maligned by detractors as something harmful to our students when it was developed to be the exact opposite,” added Joe Ascanio, YFJ Member. “Our district educators are not going to hurt or shame children, as some have suggested. That claim is simply untrue at best, and a blatant lie at worst. If the majority of the public allowed the committee to further lay out its goals and plans, they would not just support but embrace its work.”
About Yorktown for JusticeYorktown for Justice brings together residents and neighbors to work collaboratively towards equity and justice in the community through education, advocacy and activism. The group partners with a range of community organizations including town government, Yorktown Police Department, Parks and Recreation, event planning groups, and both the Yorktown and Lakeland Boards of Education. Yorktown for Justice welcomes thoughtful and respectful discussion. Be willing to learn — and be willing to teach. Visit us at: yorktownforjustice.org.
