Owensboro Public Schools is established as the fourth most equitable school in the state, and David Phillips has been accomplishing plenty of projects since stepping into his role as Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion three months ago.
Since Phillips has been in the position, he has been ensuring that the school system is engaged throughout the community. Through different programs and partnerships like donating backpacks at the Owensboro Dust Bowl in the summer and participating in the Trunk-or-Treat hosted by the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance, OPS has been able to reach several students and community members.
“That’s how OPS promotes healthy relationships in the community as we get out,” Phillips said.
Plans currently in place that Phillips has been able to work on are creating an “Education Pipeline” spreadsheet. With this, he is taking record of OPS alumni that are interested in education in college in hopes that they would return to the school system upon graduation.
Through a partnership with the Owensboro Black Expo and Owensboro Community & Technical College, they have been able to lead 24 students through the ACE program this semester. The ACE program develops students and prepares them with college and career exploration and is offered for African American students.
Phillips hopes to create a new program similar to ACE but geared toward Kentucky Wesleyan College with the Grow Your Own program.
Previously, the school system received a $50,000 grant geared toward training students that are interested in the education field. With this, Phillips plans to partner with KWC to create a similar pipeline for OHS students to attend KWC and ultimately return to teach at their alma mater.
“That long list of everything that’s been done, it’s a lot, especially for a new person … but he has done a whole lot already, and has just stepped right in to see where the needs are. He’s picking up those needs accordingly,” OPS Superintendent Dr. Matthew Constant said.
