The head of Barrington schools and all five members of the school committee issued a statement this week, sharing their anger about recent events of racism and pledging to increase anti-racism training.

The statement referenced a recent incident on Rumstick Drive which led to the arrest of Barrington's Dr. Richard Gordon. The longtime resident has since issued a statement through his attorney, alleging that his neighbor actually assaulted him with a hammer during the incident.

School officials are also pledging for additional anti-racism training for teachers.

"In August, all of our teachers will engage in additional training on anti-racism, facilitating difficult conversations, identifying and addressing racist acts, and delivering a culturally relevant and responsive curriculum," stated the release. "The training that begins in August will continue throughout the school year in the form of coaching. We will provide our students with explicit instruction on anti-racism, racial inequities, and inclusion."

In addition, the district also pledged to:

• Increase professional development for staff on anti-racist and culturally relevant and responsive pedagogies, practices, and curricula.

• Engage in community outreach and anti-racism training.

• Prioritize the hiring of diverse candidates at all levels of our organization.

• Champion and elevate student voice in our diversity, equity, and inclusivity agenda.

• Revisit policy and systems, at all levels, to remove any discriminatory, inequitable, or structural barriers.

• Support staff who embody anti-racist and inclusive pedagogies and practices.

• Respond directly, swiftly, and transparently to acts of racism, bigotry, and/or bias by staff, students, administrators, or community members.

• Strengthen and prioritize the work of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Committee.

The statement

Following is the statement issued by the superintendent and members of the school committee:

Dear Barrington Community

As a District, we have been saddened and angered by the racism that we have witnessed across our country and, we are outraged that our school and town members of all ages encounter the racist actions and comments of individuals within our community. We take our responsibility to educate our students and the larger community very seriously. To that end, four years ago, we began work toward curriculum and instructional changes that are culturally responsive and relevant. To read more about our work, please visit: https://www.barringtonschools.org/o/barrington-schools/page/diversity-equity-and-inclusivitycommittee. And still, we realize that curriculum work is simply not enough. 

Recent examples of racist actions within the confines of our town include prior BPS graduates posting bigoted comments from their boat during a Black Lives Rally, current students carving graffiti on benches, with minimal to no repercussions, in a local park, and a member of the community yelling racial slurs at their neighbors. We do not and cannot tolerate or condone these actions. 

We are committed to expanding our work with a clear and targeted focus on anti-racism through our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Committee. In August, all of our teachers will engage in additional training on anti-racism, facilitating difficult conversations, identifying and addressing racist acts, and delivering a culturally relevant and responsive curriculum. The training that begins in August will continue throughout the school year in the form of coaching. We will provide our students with explicit instruction on anti-racism, racial inequities, and inclusion. 

Barrington Public Schools commits to: 

1.     Increase professional development for staff on anti-racist and culturally relevant and responsive pedagogies, practices, and curricula.

2.     Engage in community outreach and anti-racism training.

3.     Prioritize the hiring of diverse candidates at all levels of our organization.

4.     Champion and elevate student voice in our diversity, equity, and inclusivity agenda.

5.     Revisit policy and systems, at all levels, to remove any discriminatory, inequitable, or structural barriers.

6.     Support staff who embody anti-racist and inclusive pedagogies and practices.

7.     Respond directly, swiftly, and transparently to acts of racism, bigotry, and/or bias by staff, students, administrators, or community members.

8.     Strengthen and prioritize the work of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Committee.

We invite families and community members to be our partners in this important and necessary work.