ORANGE COUNTY – Orange-Ulster BOCES and the districts within its territory have issued a statement taking a united stand against terrorism.
In a joint letter, the officials wrote, “As a united group of Orange County school superintendents we stand in solidarity with those who stand against the inequities that plague communities across our country.”
The educators said they will continue to promote hiring practices that “encourage diversity so that our faculty and staff can become more reflective of our communities.”
They noted that through these difficult times, “we are reminded that our children are watching” and they said that they hold “the great responsibility of providing for a better future by ensuring that the lives of the children entrusted to our care are made better through education, including an understanding of our democracy and a commitment to equality and justice.”
As school district leaders, “we pledge to work together to continue the conversations on equity, diversity, and inclusion in pursuit of solutions,” they wrote. “We will continue to review our practices and procedures to ensure that students in our care have equal access to programs that provide opportunities that allow our children to become the people they dream of becoming,” the educators wrote. “This will include, but will not be limited to all levels of academic programs and special education services.”
