Sacramento City Unified School Board has finally heard the comprehensive plan to address discrimination against Black students with disabilities, following a 2019 lawsuit filed by the Black Parallel School Board.
The Black Parallel School Board, an independent oversight group, filed the lawsuit after years of complaints regarding the segregation and treatment of Black students with disabilities.
As part of the settlement, the special education action plan was created by an independent monitor with input from the district and Black Parallel School Board and aims to reduce inequities and improve special education for all students in the district.
The oversight group’s Darryl White and Carl Pinkston spearheaded the efforts and explained that Black students with special needs and their families were being sidelined in the district.
“It's a question of reducing segregation of our black students and if you truly believe in inclusive learning then they should be in the classroom learning,” said Pinkston.
Sacramento City Unified School Board member Lavinia Philips voiced her frustrations with the district's past inaction, and an issue that has been her priority since assuming her seat on the dais.
“This lawsuit has, in effect, put Sacramento City Unified School District in a place where we can actually take on racism head-on, name the monster for what it is, and work to make those changes,” she said.
And though school board members were required to hear the plan, it didn’t require board approval.
“The reason why we wanted to go to the board [was] so it’s public and it's not an internal document,” said Pinkston. “We want everyone [to be] made aware and be able to publicly educate the community.”
The district now has five years to implement the plan’s 22 directives and 166 action items, which include reducing the segregation and disproportionate discipline of Black students with special needs.
Some school board members were concerned about the breadth of the action plan and the resources required. Trustee Taylor Kayatta questioned the lack of input from labor unions and the school board, noting that legal concerns have limited open discussions with the independent monitor.
“Even board members are being discouraged from talking to the independent monitor because we're worried about legal consequences,” Kayatta remarked. “It took this kind of a threat to make us stand up and do the work, but it also shouldn't be something that boxes in and prevents us from doing the work.”
The district has made the action plan publicly accessible online, with a portal for families to track progress expected by January. With a Grand Jury also finding Sacramento City Unified was not compliant with state special education laws earlier this year, the district faces increased pressure to fulfill its obligations.
“It’s a load off your shoulder kind of moment for me,” said White of tackling such a heavy topic. “But I will never forget the five years that it took to get here.”
Pinkston said he is feeling optimistic about the action plan and the metrics associated with ensuring progres.
“It's the most comprehensive action plan I have seen from a district of an attempt to really transform this district as it relates to students with special needs,” said Pinkston.
White and Pinkston will continue to oversee the progress, ensuring the district meets the plan’s goals within the next five years.
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