Clark-Pleasant schools’ first diversity, equity and inclusion coordinator won’t start until July 1, but that hasn’t prevented controversy surrounding the hiring.
Several of the roughly 15 people who spoke during the school district’s board meeting Tuesday had concerns about Ruby Butler, the incoming coordinator, also sharing their beliefs that the new position could lead to teaching students about Critical Race Theory, which originated in legal scholarship and spread to other fields of study. The theory discusses the role race and institutionalized racism play in putting minority group members at a disadvantage in society, according to the American Bar Association.
Butler will be paid $80,000 a year, similar to other coordinator roles in the district, and will be tasked with working with staff members to address the learning needs of a variety of students, including those who may have special needs or language barriers. She will also lead diversity and inclusivity efforts at the district.
Superintendent Patrick Spray hadn’t heard of Critical Race Theory until recently and said the theory is primarily taught in law school, not grade school.
“We’re not teaching law school, and if kids are learning Critical Race Theory, that’s in law classes,” Spray said.
Still, parents criticized the diversity, equity and inclusion position and called for the termination of Butler’s contract, citing a Facebook post in which she referred to George Floyd as a “king.” A jury convicted Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin of murdering Floyd, after Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes last May, causing asphyxiation.
Community member Traci Staley shared her disdain for the new hire.
“I’m calling for the immediate termination of the new diversity, inclusion and equity coordinator,” Staley said. “Mr. Floyd was violent against women, that was not king behavior. (Butler) is not welcome here. Our kids deserve better.”
The diversity, equity and inclusion position is important not just from a racial perspective, but to help anyone who is at a disadvantage for any reason, Spray said during a video message to parents last month.
“The board approved Ruby Butler to lead our efforts and make certain that the diverse tapestry of our community is celebrated and barriers that limit access to opportunities are identified and eliminated and we have a culture here that attracts students, staff and families of all backgrounds to our community and our schools,” Spray said during the video.
“The position is not charged to push a specific agenda, but rather to make sure we are accountable to our families in making sure that here, at Clark-Pleasant, we live up to our mission to provide exemplary educational experiences and opportunity for all to participate, feel valued and understood, and to excel. There is no room in this work for guilt, shame, or for any group to feel less than any other group.”
Parent John O’Rourke had issues with schools teaching things he thought he should teach himself.
“When did this become teaching philosophy with equity? Kneecapping people is the wrong idea. Equity, by definition, is trying to bring everyone to the same level,” O’Rourke said. “I think I’m seeing insidious things going on in the background. Why are we teaching morality to my child when that’s my job? I don’t know when it became more about Critical Race Theory than critical theory and how do I solve problems?”
The goals of equity are not bringing everyone down to the same level, but rather elevating them to equal standing, Spray said in an interview Thursday.
“I think people for some reason think it means taking something from someone else. It’s providing additional services so kids can achieve at high levels. We’ve always done that with special education when it comes to an (Individualized Education Plan). If someone needs more time in math we give them more time,” Spray said.
“If someone comes from a background where they struggle with the English language, we can help them to be successful. We’re not taking away from any specific group to give to someone else. It’s equity by addition, not by subtraction.”
