Alumni Group, Moorestown Schools Working On Cultural Changes

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Change may be coming for the Moorestown Public School District, which has engaged in conversations with members of an alumni group that is looking to expand race education at local schools.

The Moorestown Alumni for Racial Equity & Inclusion (MAREI) group has submitted a 32-page “Call To Action” to the Moorestown Board of Education. They are hoping for a discussion of their suggestions at the school board’s next meeting on July 16.

The plan was created after MAREI listened to a multitude of voices, many of them anonymous members of an Instagram group that talks about racism they've experienced in Moorestown.

“We recognize that there are problems,” MAREI member Quinton Law told Patch on Wednesday. “We want Moorestown to be a leader on equity and inclusion.”

"We have had a variety of stakeholder meetings with this group and have had very positive discussions," Moorestown Superintendent of Schools Scott McCartney said. "They are bright, professional and not only able to identify critical issues but willing to bring solutions to the table. We look forward to a productive partnership in the learning and change process."

In the paper, the group proposes expanding the school district’s curriculum to include a greater emphasis on different cultures, races, sex and orientation. They also suggest mandatory training for staff on issues of bias and racial sensitivity.

MAREI also wants to see the district breakdown disciplinary action by race and make that information public, as well as the creation of a new administrative position dedicated to diversity and inclusion. The administrator would also oversee investigations harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) incidents, particularly as it relates to bias incidents.

“It’s the blueprint for real, actionable change,” said MAREI member Nicole Tsarouhas, a 2016 Moorestown High School graduate. “Not only is it a demand to our township that they create a more equitable school district for all students and families that pass through it, but this document holds them accountable. Our incredibly dedicated team of alumni has done a ton of the legwork, so inaction by part of the district isn’t acceptable. Moorestown has an incredible public school system, but it has historically left students of underrepresented communities out of that experience. MAREI wants to ensure that Moorestown is a socially and academically supportive environment for students of all backgrounds.”

Law said it was important to include faculty in the plan because of the impact that has on the students.

“I grew up with three Black teachers, one Black male teacher,” Law said. “That kind of thing can impact a student’s decision on what profession they want to go into. You want to go into a profession where there’s other people who look like you.”

It’s not just the profession. Law was one of the few Black people who lived in Moorestown when he was growing up. As a district, Moorestown is made up of 70 percent white people, according to Niche, an online entity that ranks school districts. Another 11.8 percent of the population is Asian, followed by Black people at 6.8 percent and Hispanic people at 6 percent. Law said he is multiracial, which accounts for 5.3 percent of the school’s population.

“I experienced a fair amount of racism,” said Law, who graduated from Moorestown High School in 2015. “I heard the ‘N’ word. Women said they didn’t want to date me because they don’t date black people.”

He said the racism wasn’t obvious, but there were microaggressions that can build up over time and can influence the way people think. These microaggressions were born out of ignorance, and there weren’t many opportunities to learn about Black History, and the group was to give voice to those who have been voiceless for so long.

He also said Moorestown isn't a terrible town, and that the group is looking to build on a protest march that featured hundreds of people of all backgrounds in Moorestown on June 2. The march was held in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd. Read more here: Peaceful Protest In Moorestown Honors George Floyd

MAREI itself is made up of 30 members of all different backgrounds, and Law said the inclusion of white people in the group is important in a town that is made up primarily of white people.

“White people need to have these conversations with their white friends in everyday life,” Law said. “We need to challenge racism whenever we see it.”

“I joined the MAREI to put my emotions to action,” Moorestown High School 2016 graduate Melvin Sheppard said. “I wanted to be a part of building a school system that will allow future generations to learn about the rich history that everyone’s culture has created. Working to give students a more diverse education, allows them to be better equipped to solve the challenges of tomorrow. Learning more about everyone’s history allows us to build a community based on understanding and connections between everyone.”