Educational Equity

Group Student Arms Up

Danelle Hiatt
  Deputy Superintendent     
   
[email protected]
Matt Reynolds
   Learning Services Officer 
  [email protected]
 Dr. Remy Rummel
Director - Language, Culture, & Equity
[email protected]



Equity Advisory Council

[email protected]

 

In order to promote Educational Equity, the Board directs the Superintendent to establish and maintain any related Superintendent council(s) (i.e., Equity Advisory Council), cabinet position(s), and/or other roles or positions to assist in advising on, managing, and implementing initiatives in furtherance of this policy.

The District is committed to maintaining the Equity Advisory Council (EAC). The EAC is a committee that will coordinate with School District Leadership to support and advise the full and systemic implementation of the DCSD Educational Equity Policy. 

The Equity Advisory Council meets monthly throughout the school year. Please see the calendar for specific dates. Agendas and minutes are posted in each invitation. See the Equity Advisory Council Bylaws.

EAC MLO/Bond Support Statement  Link

Advisory Council Meeting are listed below on the calendar:

***DCSD Equity Advisory Council (EAC) meetings are now available for viewing via Google Meet, so that community members can hear the proceedings without being physically present in the room. If community members choose to attend in person, we will have a room available where they can view the Google Meet. 

 

 Apply for Vacant Positions HERE


 

If you are interested in serving on this council, please complete the Equity Advisory Council Membership Application. Applications will open on September 20, 2023. The application will remain open, and vacancies will be filled as needed. This year’s interviews will be held after October 9, 2023. New members will be selected and notified no later than November 1, 2023. New members will participate beginning on November 8, 2023 from 4:30-6:00 pm.

 

The EAC Membership Committee will fill vacant positions throughout the year, and this application will remain open, beginning September 20, 2023.

Members Names and Roles

EAC Voting Members
EAC Stakeholder Group Selected Member Names
Community At Large Kathy Dorman
Community At Large Kelly Muhr
Parent/Guardian - Castle Rock Lindsey Smithson (Co-Vice Chair)
Parent/Guardian - Castle Rock Vacant
Parent/Guardian - Charter Quinn Martinez
Parent/Guardian - Charter Claire Simpson
Parent/Guardian - Highlands Ranch Angela Kana-Veydovec
Parent/Guardian - Highlands Ranch Jodie Deshmukh (Co-Vice Chair)
Parent/Guardian - Parker Ilana Craddock
Parent/Guardian - Parker Vanessa Torchia
Parent/Guardian - Alternative Vacant
School Level Staff - neighborhood Katanna Linn
School Level Staff - neighborhood Martha Cisneros
School Level Staff- neighborhood Nicole Faraci
School Level Staff- neighborhood Lisa Selle
School Level Staff- neighborhood Sarah Quinn
School Level Staff- neighborhood Amanda Malson
School Level Staff- charter Vinaya Raigaonkar
School Level Staff- charter Carolyn Jordan
Secondary Student - charter Vacant
Secondary Student - Alternative Education Vacant
Secondary Student - Castle Rock Andrew Middleton (Co-Secretary)
Secondary Student - Highlands Ranch Emily Knox
Secondary Student - Parker Delaney Burkhart
Appointed Members from DCSD Committees and Councils
Committee Member Name
Conexión Aurora Antonio
DC Gifted Education Advisory Council Ishmeet Kalra
DC Special Education Advisory Council Kelly Mayr
District Accountability Committee Chester Shaw (Chair)
Employee Council TBD
Fiscal Oversight Committee Vacant
Long Range Planning Committee Cathy Lees (Co-Secretary)
MBOC Tariro Goronga
Student Advisory Group Rileigh Young
Counselor/Mental Health Dr. Kelli Smith

 

In March 2021, the DCSD Board of Education approved DCSD Policy ADB - Educational Equity.

The purpose of the Educational Equity Policy is to show DCSD’s continued commitment to ensuring that every DCSD student and staff member has access to equitable and rigorous educational opportunities. The policy also reaffirms DCSD’s commitment to providing an inclusive culture to ensure all students, staff, and community members feel safe and valued.

The policy has raised concerns from some members of our community who have asked if this will change DCSD curriculum to incorporate Critical Race Theory. DCSD is not changing its curriculum. All instruction in DCSD is, and will continue to be, aligned with Colorado Academic Standards. Our educators are committed to supporting all students in meeting or exceeding the rigorous expectations outlined in these standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Will DCSD be changing its curriculum as a result of the Educational Equity policy? If so, how? 

A:  All instruction in the DCSD is aligned and will remain aligned with Colorado Academic Standards. Our educators are committed to supporting all students in meeting or exceeding the rigorous expectations outlined in these standards. The Educational Equity policy is meant to serve as a guide for DCSD staff when drafting policies, procedures and making decisions related to educational materials, school district facilities, staffing, curriculum and regulations affecting students and staff. 

 

Q: Who serves on the DCSD Equity Advisory Committee and how were they selected?

A: EAC Membership selection processes align with the EAC Bylaws. Membership positions are intended to represent multiple stakeholders and stakeholder groups. 22 members were selected in the inaugural year, and major stakeholder groups represented within the DCSD are invited to participate by sending 1-2 representatives to attend each meeting. This has included parents, staff members, community members and representatives of DCSD committees such as the Douglas County Special Education Advisory Committee, Conexìon, District Accountability Committee, Douglas County Gifted Education Advisory Committee, Employee Council, and many others.

Q: How did the DCSD Equity Advisory Council begin?

A: The Equity Advisory Council was formed as a collaborative effort across DCSD stakeholder groups.
ADB EDUCATIONAL EQUITY-English
ADB EDUCATIONAL EQUITY-Mandarin
ADB EDUCATIONAL EQUITY-Russian
ADB EDUCATIONAL EQUITY-Spanish

As aligned with policy, the Equity Advisory Council will provide insights, advice, and feedback for equity-focused work occurring across the DCSD.


Q: Does the DCSD Equity Advisory Council have the authority to set school district policy?

A: The DCSD Equity Advisory Council does not set school district policy. They worked together to provide recommendations and input around a new Educational Equity Policy. That policy was reviewed and edited by the DCSD Board of Education prior to being approved.

Q. As part of DCSD’s novel and textbook approval process, a parent is required to review and approve the book. How are parents selected as the reviewers?
A: 
Schools have the flexibility to select a parent for the textbook review process.  This parent may be a member of existing committees or groups such as School Accountability Committees and PTO. Board File: IJ TEXTBOOK AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS SELECTION AND ADOPTION

 

Q. If a novel or textbook is approved at one school, are all other schools able to utilize it as well?

A:  Yes, textbooks that are proposed to and approved by the BOE are available to schools in DCSD in alignment with the specific content, grade level(s) and course(s) identified in the textbook adoption proposal. DCSD charter schools review and approve their own curriculum resources.

 

Q: What is the “targeted system” that will identify inequities?

A: Education regarding inequities is a primary priority in order to build and sustain a common language and common expectation across the district. The “targeted system” will align with DCSD’s formal grievance policy, and educational opportunities and restorative practices will be leveraged to repair harm when allowable under law and DCSD policy. 

 

The Board shall NOT condone, by its staff, students, leadership, or any other community member representing School District interests: A) Biased, inequitable, racist, or exclusive practices B) Bullying or harassment C) Deficit-focused instructional or operational implementation frameworks D) Discriminatory behaviors that disproportionately impact any particular group or groups of individuals based on aspect of their collective identity E) Lowering standards and expectations for any students, including those in state and federal identified subgroups F) Perpetuation of racism or discrimination G) Policies and resolutions that support exclusion or intolerance H) Practices that promote inequality or inequity I) Promotion of specific aspects of identity as superior or inferior to other aspects of identity.

 

The District will create and implement a targeted system to identify any of the above practices, frameworks, systems, behaviors, and/or policies. The District will also develop, in conjunction with school and District leaders, a restorative process to address the identified concern, repair harm to the community, and to eradicate any future inequities.

 

Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.

In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).