TAKE ACTION
LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS

There are several ways to TAKE ACTION in your local school district. The most important place to begin is educating yourself about Honesty and DEI initiatives currently underway in district and how you can get involved.

From there, you can:
1) Attend and speak out at your local school board meetings
2) Submit letters of support to your board of education and superintendent 3) Submit Letters to the Editor and Op-Eds to local media explaining with Honesty and DEI should be a priority in local districts

We've provided helpful resources below to get you started. 
​Select one or do them ALL!

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EDUCATE YOURSELF

​​​Learn About Honesty and DEI Initiatives in Your District HERE
​
Education & DEI Resources HERE

Honesty in Education

• Why Honesty in Education Matters HERE
• Profile of an Honesty in Education Leader HERE

​Education News & Updates​

• ​State Board of Education News HERE
• ​US, State, and Local News HERE​ 

State-Level DEI Initiatives​

Ohio Department of Education

• Each Child Our Future 2019-2024 Strategic Plan HERE
• Diversifying the Teaching Profession HERE
• Each Child Means Each Child: Ohio's Plan to Improve Learning Experiences and Outcomes for Students with Disabilities HERE 

​State Board of Education

• Resolution to Condemn Racism & Advance Equity (repealed Oct 2021)  HERE​

ATTEND YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Attending a School Board Meeting

​WHEN ARE BOARD MEETINGS: School boards typically meet once or twice a month on recurring dates and times. Meeting dates and times should be listed on your district's website under Board of Education. Call your district office for more information.

​WHERE ARE BOARD MEETINGS: Locations can be virtual, on-site, or hybrid, depending on your district. Note that locations are subject to change based on your district's COVID-19 status and safety protocol. Contact your district office prior to the scheduled Board meeting for the meeting location and safety guidelines.

​​​​Presenting Public Comment

• Public Comment is generally 3-5 minutes long, depending on the district 
• It is best to prepare your remarks ahead of the meeting
• Public Comments are normally invited for Agenda Items and Non-Agenda Items (each Item is in a different section of the Board agenda)
• Read the Board agenda ahead of the meeting to understand where you will offer your comment (agendas are normally uploaded on the district's website under Board of Education Meetings)

Preparing Your Public Comment

• Limit your comments to 3-5 minutes, ask about your district's requirements
• Open with your name and address
• Elaborate on 1-2 points you know well
• Include any personal experiences or narratives, if able
• Include any supporting data, research, statistics, or case studies, if relevant
• Try to avoid professional/technical jargon to ensure the average person will understand your point(s)​

SUBMIT A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO YOUR DISTRICT

​Submit a letter or statement of support to your school board and/or superintendent for their work around Honest in Education and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• It is best to email the letter or statement
• CC all school board members and your superintendent, if relevant
• Open with your name, connection to the district, and any relevant expertise or lived experience in terms of honesty and DEI in education
• Elaborate on 1-2 points that you know well
• Include any personal experiences or narratives, if able
• Include any supporting data, research, statistics, scientific journals, and case studies, if relevant 

SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR OR OP-ED

Submit a Letter to the Editor or an Op-Ed to your area newspaper stating your support of DEI initiatives in education and why Honesty in Education should be a priority.
​
​Tips and Suggestions for Writing Letters to the Editor & Op-Eds HERE​