Van Buren School Board discusses racism in wake of death of George Floyd

At the Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education virtual Zoom meeting June 8, Director of Instruction Jeff Moore gave an emotional statement on racism, brought on by the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis.
Director Moore said he’s been quiet for a long time and now must speak out on institutions that have been one-sided for a long time.
“People have been afraid of speaking out,” Moore said, adding he has been encouraged by what he’s seen happening over the past few weeks.
He said people should take a moment and listen to things happening in this community and educate themselves further about the African-American experience.
“We have to figure out how to do better,” he said. “I challenge you and I challenge myself to speak out.”
“Now it is more important than ever to talk about this in public,” agreed former board president, now trustee, Keith Johnston. “We have had conversations on this … for a long time.” He said he and Moore did not take the final step to talk about it publicly.
“It’s very scary to talk about this, but I’ll try to do better,” Moore said.
“Many of us are having conversations with our children,” said board president Amy Pearce. “I appreciate you guys. Thank you.”
Human Resources Director Abdul Madyun said he gives kudos to Moore.
“It was nice to hear him say these things,” Madyun said. “I have not been shy … We shouldn’t ignore things… I found they are not bad people. They just don’t know… I give Jeff kudos for saying that.”
Karen Johnston, Director of Special Services, said she appreciates Moore and Madyun for counseling her on how to better serve her students.
“The murder of George Floyd is another example of the inherent racism,” said School Supt. Pete Kudlak.
He said they started doing work on this at the beginning of this school year.
“Changing institutional structures are hard, but it’s something we’re committed to,” Supt. Kudlak said.
“I’m a professional event producer,” said board president Pearce, adding that a speaker at one of her events spoke on “Inherent Bias” and was incredibly powerful. She said the woman pointed out all kinds of bias and she would like someone like her to speak at one of the district’s personal development days.
“It would be really beneficial,” Pearce said.
Pearce also recommended a book she is reading called “Ghosts in the Schoolyard” by Eve Ewing, a professor at the University of Chicago, about the history of racism in public schools.
“It’s sad,” she said.
Board trustee Calvin Hawkins praised the comments on the crisis by Madyun, Moore, and Kudlak. He said this is emotional for him and as an African-American he had to have a tough conversation with his son about how to behave when you get pulled over by police. Now, he’ll have to talk to his daughter, too, he said.
“We have to have these conversations,” Hawkins said.
Board treasurer Simone Pinter said it is terrible that in 2020 there is still racism.
“Hopefully, through education is the only way we’re going to get changed,” she said. “Thanks for bringing this up.”
In other business at the 90-minute meeting, the board:
• Approved a Federal COVID-19 Funding Resolution to send to the federal government and the state government asking for more funds to help education “in this time of great need for the 2020-21 school year.” Supt. Kudlak said a lot of states have schools funded by sales tax, like Michigan, and with things shut down that is not enough and there are huge shortages in tax money. He said the projections for this year and next year are “pretty scary.” Board president Pearce said schools should be at the top of the list for help, instead of businesses, and it baffles her why they aren’t. Simone Pinter said, “They can’t just print it. They have to have it somewhere… We’re hoping to have it work out with or without help…” Kudlak said it would be better with it and, “We need more this time” because of the need to provide more emotional support to students who have been out of school so long and more interventions. Vice president Susan Featheringill said the money comes from the federal government to the state and the state needs to put it where needed;
• Approved the layoff of Belleville High School teacher George Devore to add to the 14 other teachers laid off as of June 30 because of budget constraints due to the expected cuts in foundation allowance from the state due to the coronavirus. The board paperwork stated this layoff occurs through application of Board Policy 3131 and “is further based upon the need of this School District to retain effective teachers who possess the necessary certification and qualifications to support the anticipated academic programming for the 2020-21 school year;”
• Accepted the retirement of teacher Elizabeth Stamper from Haggerty ECDC after 31 years of service, as of June 30;
• Accepted the retirement of non-instruction staff member, Pamela Melton of Belleville High School after 28 years of service as of Oct. 1 for retirement;
• Learned the position of Deborah Evans at the administration building had been eliminated as of July 31, after 14 years of service;
• Approved hiring Dr. Jaime Nelson as full-time CTE / Early College / Career Coordinator at the Administration Building as of Aug. 11. Dr. Nelson had been a half-time employee, shared with Romulus and employed by Romulus. Now she will be full-time at Van Buren Public Schools. “She’s a rock star,” Kudlak said;
• Heard presentations from principals and staff on how the School Improvement Plan worked this year and what is planned for next year from Belleville High School, Savage Elementary, and Tyler Elementary; and
• Heard Finance Director Sarah Cortese announce that Thursday, June 11, is the last day of the food distribution at the high school.