From: Francis Howell Forward
To: Board of Directors, Superintendent of the Francis Howell School District
CC: Jennifer Jolls, Chief Communications Officer and Jane Hepler, Board Secretary and Custodian of Records
September 10, 2024
Dear board members and Superintendent Roumpos,
Last week, our community was stirred with concerns for our LGBTQ famlies, our families of color, and our families who may be struggling with mental health. Research is clear: Every student's success depends on a positive climate and culture. This is true even in adult workplaces, where we are protected from hostile work environments. Unfortunately, over the last year and some months, the leadership of this board majority has had a negative impact on the learning environment at Francis Howell.
Intentional efforts are overdue to ensure that our students experience the sense of belonging that will allow them to succeed. Francis Howell Forward calls on our school board and our administration to offer more than words of comfort to our students and their families. We call on our leaders to carry out the following actions:.
Make the legal counsel concerning Policy 2116 public.
Reconvene an Equity Committee made up of district stakeholders, including students and parents of historically marginalized heritage.
Restore the Resolution Against Racism and Discrimination.
Revise Policy 2655 with clear language denouncing hate speech and racial bullying, as proposed in a PIN form recently submitted to the Policy Committee. Include additional language to extend protections to our LGBTQ students as well.
Repeal the recent changes made to policy 6116.
As our students return to school, the above actions will lay a foundation for success in students’ academic outcomes. We sincerely wish each of them and all of you a year of joy and learning.
Thank you,
Francis Howell Forward
