Equity Task Force Appointed In Shaker Heights Schools

SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH — Eighteen people have been appointed to the Shaker Heights Schools' new Equity Task Force. The group will examine equity issues throughout the district, with a special focus on race. Each member of the group will serve a two-year term. The group will serve alongside the Task Force's co-chairs and two student members.

The Task Force is composed of district staffers, community members, and students. They will be responsible for identifying equity issues and making recommendations for solutions to the Board of Education. The goal is to create a district that removes as many barriers to student success as possible.

The formation of the Task Force is part of the school district's strategic five-year plan. Shaker Superintendent Gregory Hutchings appointed Reverend Colin Jones and Shaker parent Lisa Vahey to co-chair the Task Force.

Jones is pastor of the Shaker Heights Community Church in the Sussex neighborhood. Vahey has been a teacher, district leader, and volunteer.

Some 80 community members and staff applied to serve on the Task Force. In early May, Hutchings, Jones, and Vahey selected the appointees.

A spokesperson for the district said the Task Force will gather research through the Urban Superintendents Academy, a partnership with the University of Southern California an AASA, the School Superintendents Association.

"The partnership is designed to create more pathways for underrepresented educators to become school district leaders, and to prepare superintendents for demands of the urban school environment," the spokesperson told Patch via email. "As part of this training, a capstone project will explore equity issues including racial inequalities, LGBTQ issues, special education and minority recruitment of teachers. The District Task Force will look to the research of this program for guidance."

The Task Force members are:

• Jeremy Abraham – teacher
• Herlinda Bradley – community member
• Katrina Cassell – student
• Jeremiah Caver – student
• Eric Forman – principal
• Carina Freeman – principal
• Ayesha Hardaway – community member
• Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. – superintendent
• Rev. Colin Jones – co-chairperson
• Luling Li – teacher
• Larissa Martin – teacher
• Holly Palda – special education parent mentor
• Nicole Patterson – teacher
• David Peake – counselor
• Adam Roth – community member
• Phillip Rowland-Seymour – community member
• Michael Summers – instructional aide
• Kim Thompson-Schinagle – community member
• Heather Torok – community member
• Lisa Vahey – co-chairperson
• Lumar Vargas – teacher
• Ricia Weiner – community member

Photo from Shaker Heights Schools