OPS Equity Task Force outlines plan to address issues

October 2, 2020 | 12:10 am

Updated October 1, 2020 | 11:18 pm

Graphic by Owensboro Times

Owensboro Public Schools approved a detailed plan Thursday for the OPS Equity Task Force that will seek to address racial issues within the district.

In response to the national movement to end systemic racism, OPS reached out to the Owensboro Chapter of the NAACP. The Rev. Rhondalyn Randolph, Board of Education member Michael Johnson, and Superintendent Matthew Constant discussed appropriate ways to tackle any issues at the local level.

Constant said the diversity of the OPS student body is a pillar of strength for both the school district and the greater Owensboro community. 

“I felt like as a leader of an organization of diverse sets of people, that we should first see how our folks are doing with this but also maybe dig into a larger issue,” he said. “Once we just scratched the surface on this, we found that there are issues to definitely address. Knowing that we need to stand for equity and justice for every student, staff and community member in our school district … we felt like there were some steps that needed to be taken.”

A set of 10 listening sessions occurred with more than 120 OPS staff members, laying the foundation for several areas of focus moving forward. Constant said he let Randolph and Johnson help steer those conversations.

“I felt very ill-equipped to facilitate those conversations because I am definitely a privileged white male,” he said. 

Constant recognized another critical partner in the H.L. Neblett Center and Executive Director Olga McKissic. She helped launch the Western Academy at the Neblett — giving opportunities to young Black males that model the way to a brighter future. OPS has partnered in the equity work with the Neblett Center. 

Constant said in order to form a coherent plan and strategy around several key components, another strategic partner was identified in this work. Hanover Research will facilitate more focus groups (parents, students, administrators) as well as compile and synthesize historical data on multiple data points with multiple gap groups.

As OPS begins their work, they welcome community partnerships to assist. The Public Life Foundation and Hager Educational Foundation have already donated some financial resources to assist. 

Intended goals and actions of the OPS Equity Task Force 

1. Invest in, examine and update resources and practices to include a culturally relevant curriculum. 

2. Facilitate and synthesize the voices of parents, students, and leaders concerning OPS’ future equity plans. 

3. Reduction of academic gaps with all opportunity groups as well as an increase in graduation rates of these same groups. 

4. Assimilation and presentation of historical data (annual Equity Dashboard) of all gap groups, including Black students. 

5. Examination, creation, and monitoring of relevant career services for Black students, as well as intentioned efforts to increase the on-to-college rates. 

6. Identification of both internal and external key partners to help move the work forward. 

7. Identification and implementation of professional learning for all staff to include cultural sensitivity training, trauma-informed care, and relationship building with all our opportunity gap students. 

8. A districtwide audit of both human and capital resources in hopes of creating a dedicated emphasis and watchdog on equity issues within OPS.

9. Identification and cultivation of important mentorship programs for gap opportunity students. 

10.Prioritize OPS staff recruitment and retention of people of color. 

11.Communicate, promote, and advocate for Equity work to extend past the school district (i.e. the Greater Owensboro community). 

October 2, 2020 | 12:10 am

Share this Article

Other articles you may like