Greetings,
“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” — from Dr. King’s speech at the Washington National Cathedral on March 31, 1968.
I write to you all to share my thoughts as today is no ordinary holiday. Considered in relation to the many tumultuous events of the past year, 2021’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day is truly momentous. For me, it has been an opportunity to review our work together in the area of cultural responsivity, social justice and equity. It brings up the many questions that we have to face and figure out together as colleagues and community members-questions like: Why does racism matter in a 99% white school? What do movements like Black Lives Matter mean in Middleburgh Central School District? Or, what does it mean when our students wear images of the Confederate flag? And lastly, where are we in unpacking white privilege and identifying structures that support it?
As I struggle with these questions as a Superintendent, I am strongly encouraged when I look to our Board of Education Goals for the 2020-2021 school year. Goal #2 states-The Board of Education will support equitable learning opportunities and access for every student no matter who they are, where they live or where they come from. This is a very powerful statement of commitment to each and every child in our district, it means that every single adult they come in contact with will treat them with respect, care and courtesy. It means that the accidents of birth or addresses do not matter when it comes to having high expectations or second chances. This language sets the stage for all of our students to experience fairness, access and opportunity for their entire experience in Middleburgh. Part of Goal #3 states that we will continuously improve graduation rate up to 100%. This is, in my mind, the moral center of our entire goal set. It commits everyone toward the same philosophy and practice each day-we believe in ALL of our students and we will never give up on them.
I believe we have a strong foundation for the road ahead. Our BOE Goals express much of what we value and hold dear in Middleburgh and in America. On this Martin Luther King Day, let’s be proud of what we have accomplished and relentless with the work ahead.
Thanks for considering,
Brian