In a recent government meeting, significant strides were reported in the Roaring Fork Schools' commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The board celebrated the successful implementation of its first equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism policy, which was developed with input from families, students, and the equity advisory council. This policy mandates annual training for staff, aimed at fostering a common understanding of the district's equity commitments.

The equity steering committee has initiated a training program called ADB close read training, which has already been rolled out to department heads and school leaders. These leaders are expected to disseminate the training to their teams before Thanksgiving, ensuring that the majority of schools and departments are aligned with the board's expectations.

Additionally, the board discussed the upcoming equity audit, a critical component of the district's strategic plan. An external auditor, Promise 54, has been selected to conduct this audit, which will focus on four key areas identified by the board. The audit is set to commence in two weeks, with a completion target of December 20. This process will include opportunities for community and stakeholder input, emphasizing the district's commitment to transparency and collaboration.

However, the board noted a challenge regarding the focus on programming for emerging bilingual students, which was deemed outside the scope of the equity audit. In response, the board plans to initiate a formal comprehensive programming review to address this area effectively.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's dedication to fostering an inclusive educational environment and its proactive approach to addressing equity issues within the community.