There is much controversy regarding the role and guidance of the DEIB Committee. We have written extensively about the DEIB Committee and thus far have neglected to discuss oversight of the DEIB Committee. Therefore, today’s article will focus on oversight. Here is what has been established in previous articles regarding the DEIB Committee.
The DEIB Committee is planning professional development. The members of the DEIB Committee were hand-picked by the GHAPS Curriculum Director Mary Jane Evink based on their political ideologies. Deanna Rolffs and Nichol Stith, two process consultants, are paid members of the DEIB Committee. GHAPS staff members are paid for participating in the DEIB Committee. The first meeting of the DEIB Committee took place on August 5, 2021 from 12:30-3:30 in the ESC Board room. Topics of Critical Race Theory, racial equity, racism, anti-racism, oppression, white identity, white fragility, white privilege, and white supremacy are discussed by the DEIB Committee. The DEIB Committee infuses DEIB material into the curriculum through a process they call curriculum enhancement, and through the use of classroom libraries. The DEIB Committee tries to influence thinking of staff including teachers, parents and community members through book studies and newsletters.
The GHAPS Board of Education has the ultimate oversight responsibility for everything that happens within the Grand Haven School District. That doesn’t mean the school board is involved in the detailed planning of everyday activities of the district. It does mean the school board provides direction for the district by overseeing the education of students, approving the budget, approving major purchases, approving hiring decisions, maintaining facilities and providing for the welfare of the students. Board policy 0122 details the powers of the board and also indicates the board is responsible for overseeing Professional Development.
Direction provided by the board is primarily accomplished through the one district employee that reports directly to the board; Superintendent Scott Grimes. All other district employees report directly to Scott Grimes or one of his subordinates. Therefore, according to the structure in place and according to board policies, if the school board questions activities taking place in the district, it is the responsibility of the superintendent to respond to those questions.
Keeping the powers of the board of education in mind, it is disturbing to see how the individual board members, superintendent, and curriculum director understand the role of the DEIB Committee. The board discussed the DEIB Committee at their April 22, 2022 board retreat. According to Curriculum Director Mary Jane Evink the DEIB Committee is a district committee. She believes this enables the committee to operate under her direction without answering to the board.
Here are two quotes from School Board President Carl Treutler, “In my mind [DEIB] is the same as the band parents.“ and “DEIB Committee was not created by the board. It’s a separate group like Kiwanas or Knights of Columbus.” Apparently, Carl is not aware of the fact the members of the DEIB Committee receive payment for their participation. In addition, he must be unaware that the DEIB Committee is planning professional development for the district, because he would certainly not approve an outside group such as Restore Ottawa to plan professional development without oversight.
Christine Baker notes that the board passed a resolution around diversity, equity and inclusion and believes this gives Mary Jane Evink full authority to administer the DEIB Committee. However, she fails to note that the Pledge for Racial Equity was not signed by the full board. It was signed by former board president John Siemion and Secretary Nichol Stack, and it was signed during a previous administration.
Nichol Stack, contradicted herself when speaking about the DEIB Committee. She first said “The [DEIB] committee is a committee formed of us by us, and we brought in other community members, hand-selected.” Then she stated, “The DEIB Committee is Mary Jane.”
Marc Eickholt is a member of the DEIB Committee.
Board members Seth Holt and Chris Streng have stayed silent during discussions regarding the DEIB Committee.
Board member Barb Pietrangelo is the only board member that seems to take issue with the DEIB Committee. She has asked many questions and received few answers. She has noted that the board did not create the DEIB Committee. The DEIB Committee does not answer to the board. Professional development was not approved by the board and yet the DEIB Committee is planning professional development.
It seems yet again GHAPS leaders are disregarding their own policies. The DEIB Committee needs oversight and there needs to be accountability.