Before the most recent incident making headlines in the Park Hill School District, last week the district’s board of education presided over a sometimes unruly meeting.
The Thursday, Oct. 14 meeting started with public input, with most focused on the petition to reinstate slavery launched by Park Hill South students in September. Public comments strayed into an unusual verbal Sunshine request for documents related to “critical race theory” and complaints from a home school parent who was critical of the “leftist agenda” at the district.
Parent Jeff Holmes, who also spoke out at the September meeting after the petition came to light, said he was “appalled at the lack of action” by the board of education.
Other parents echoed this sentiment, including a Park Hill graduate who recounted her own interactions with a racist staff member in the 1990s. The problems in Park Hill are deep-seated she said.
Dr. Terri Deayon, the new director of access, inclusion and family engagement, presented an update on work to address racism in the district.
She said at Park Hill South, the school’s Black Student Union met and the principal also met with members of that organization. Grade level assemblies, messages to the student body and lunchtime conversations were held as well as a forum with members of the football team, where the petition was alleged to have arisen.
Student town hall meetings and development of the existing Sense of Belonging Council are the next steps at the school, Deayon said.
Board president Janice Bolin asked if students had made suggestions on how to address race issues at the high schools.
“The students have a lot of wounds from other incidents and a lack of trust overall,” Deayon said, emphasizing the importance of listening to the students’ concerns.
Bolin said while listening is important, more concrete steps should be taken at the same time. Deayon agreed and said she hopes progress can be made as a third-party consultant comes on board.
Bolin questioned how many incidents have been reported to school officials. Deayon said there have been problems both reported and not reported.
Meetings with staff have also been held with additional professional development activities planned.
Community outreach activities have also been started and will be ongoing. Deayon noted the district’s meetings with faith-based leaders, the NAACP and the US Department of Justice regarding inclusiveness.
A strategic plan of action will be formed with the assistance of a third-party consultant.