Work We've Done
In the fall of 2021, the Monroe Equity Council was contacted by the student leaders of the Monroe Inclusion Collective. This is what they told us about their experiences with racism and homophobia in their years in Monroe School District:
Follow the MIC on IG for more info.
Following MIC's presentation to the Monroe School Board, members of the community began reaching out to MEC with stories of racism, homophobia, and harm that had been occurring and being ignored for years under the leadership and policy makers at all levels of administration.
On December 1, 2021 the Monroe Equity Council hosted a panel of current and former Monroe School District families to discuss the ongoing racism in Monroe schools.
We extend profound gratitude to the families who participated. They have experienced deep harm and pain and yet they showed up to continue working to build a safe, inclusive, and anti-racist community not just for their kids but for all kids and staff members.
If you missed the meeting please take the time to listen.
What we heard was heartbreaking and we have spent the following years working to uncover and address systemic biases, advocate for those who don't have a voice, and disrupt systems of harm which only serve the status quo in public education.
Letters and comments to the Monroe Public School Board of Directors
On December 13, 2021 the Monroe Equity Council calls for the resignation of Superintendent Justin Blasko after a pattern of a culture of fear, abuse, indifference, and distrust, and inaction.
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On November 22, 2021, the Monroe Equity Council gave a public comment at the school board meeting addressing the recent racial aggression and harassment that occurred at Monroe High School and the ongoing failure to act on racism, bullying, and harassment in Monroe School District.
On September 13, 2021, the Monroe Equity Council gave a public comment at the school board meeting in response to the Board's failure to address homophobic comments made in the August 23, 2021 board meeting.
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In addition, MEC addressed abuse of power, improper political discussion, and non-inclusive behavior and language demonstrated by board members in that same meeting.
On May 16, 2021, the Monroe Equity Council sent a letter to the Monroe School District Board of Directors and Superintendent Justin J. Blasko with respect to a number of questions related to our mission to create a safe and inclusive community in which all voices are heard and all people have the ability to access the same opportunities.
Our mission extends to the safety, well-being and equity of the faculty, staff, students and families in Monroe schools. We asked for a response to this letter by May 31, 2021.
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As of today, June 7, 2021 we have not received a response.
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We encourage you to take the following actions:
1. Attend the June 14th school board meeting indicating your support of the information requested and ask that the Board and Dr. Blasko be accountable to the community by complying with the request for a written response.
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2. Send a written statement to the Board and Dr. Blasko indicating your support of the information requested and ask that the Board and Dr. Blasko be accountable to the community by complying with the request for a written response.
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The Monroe Equity Council works to create a safe and inclusive community in which all voices are heard and all people have the ability to access the same opportunities. We do this by ensuring underserved community members and groups have the opportunities for their voices to be heard and encourage local organizations to create working partnerships with underserved community members and groups.
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We have listened to and heard the concerns of our BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled students, their families and the teachers/staff that support them. And we share these concerns.
To that end we sent a letter to the Monroe District School Board and Superintendent Dr. Justin Blasko.
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We asked for a written response by May 31, 2021.