By Howard Packowitz
NORMAL – Some Unit 5 parents told the school board Wednesday night that African-American students at Unit 5 are more likely than other children to face discipline, and the district’s staff lacks diversity to teach minority children.
Jade Hursey, one of four parents who addressed the board, said she’s “tired” and “frustrated” about racial disparities.
“What are you doing today to resolve these disparities, and what do you plan to do in the future? My request is that you take heed to the concerns that have been shared, and hire more qualified teachers, staff, and administrators across all of Unit 5,” said Hursey.
Superintendent Mark Daniel acknowledged there are disparities among various student groups, based on data compiled from the federal government’s “Every Student Succeeds Act.”
Daniel said Unit 5 also faces the challenge of enticing Illinois State University graduates to stay in the Twin-Cities instead of finding work closer to home.
“People return to about a 40 to 50 mile radius of where they live,” said Daniel.
“So if we do have candidates that come from Chicago, they’re graduates here at ISU, where do they go? Back to the Chicago area. We need to figure out how to tap into those individuals and retain them,” Daniel also said.
Parent Kristal Shelvin, also a school psychologist in Livingston County, urged the district to create a task force comprised of parents with African-American kids in Unit 5, who also happen to be educators. These “cultural brokers,” as Shelvin calls them, would make recommendations to Unit 5 decision makers.
“To have that conversation with folks who understand what it means to be an African-American parent, or an African-American student, I think adds another layer of authenticity, and it also adds a layer of perspective,” said Shelvin.
Daniel is open to the idea of forming a task force.
“It’s critical to listen to people who have suggestions, and can also be part of the solution,” said Daniel.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
