ConVal district conducting equity audit

ConVal High School.

ConVal High School. FILE PHOTO

Published: 05-30-2024 8:01 AM

The ConVal School District is conducting an equity audit among district stakeholders as part of its 2023-2028 five-year strategic plan.

According to a release from the district, the audit is a step in achieving ConVal’s Supportive Structures for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility goal as outlined in Priority 3 of its strategic plan.

This section of the strategic plan focuses on uncovering areas of growth to improve responses to inequities, creating environments where historically underrepresented groups have access to supportive structures, developing and implementing policies and practices consistent with a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment and providing professional development for staff that encompasses all facets of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

The audit will study the fairness of policies, programs and practices, and data will help the district understand where gaps to access and challenges to educational equity exist. The audit involves examining who benefits from the curriculum as well as who has access to those benefits.

The audit will conclude with recommendations for procedures and policies, curriculum, instructional design and delivery, professional development, resources and funding and physical plant review. 

Students (with parent/guardian permission), staff and families will be contacted to share their thoughts and feedback. Participation may include surveys, interviews, and focus groups. 

Audit results will be presented to district staff, and to the School Board and community in an open public session. The report will also be made available online. The district also plans to provide regular updates as recommendations from the audit are implemented.

“The feedback we will receive from students, staff, and families is critical to obtaining a better understanding of ConVal’s environment and learning community,” Superintendent Kimberly Rizzo Saunders stated. “Their help and support will move ConVal forward as a place where all feel welcomed for who they are. Inclusion and belonging at ConVal continue to be celebrated and practiced every day.”

The district will hold a virtual town hall to provide information about the audit Thursday, May 30, from 6 to 7 p.m. Register at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Gxk03rPOSjyS4YCwsVBYMw.