News

School Board issues statement condemning racism

By Lightning Reports, Published: July 1, 2020

After a meeting on Tuesday, the Henderson County School Board, Superintendent Bo Caldwell and Henderson County Education Foundation Executive Director Summer Stipe released a statement condemning racism and violence and vowing to "cultivate a community whose bedrocks are kindness, acceptance and inclusion for all."

Here is the statement:

"Like others across the nation and the world, our community is reeling from the acts of violence and systemic racism that continue to create a massive divide in our society. We condemn racism, violence, and discrimination in the strongest terms. They are directly opposed to the values of Henderson County Public Schools and our mission statement, which is our promise to the children and families we serve.

"Our role as educators is to create conversation and take the position of listening to the hurt, the confusion, and the pain of our students, families and staff to promote healing and change in our schools and community.

"We seek to unite educators and families while fostering a positive influence on the community beyond education. We seek to cultivate a community whose bedrocks are kindness, acceptance and inclusion for all. Only through our collective work, can we create a way forward in dismantling racism and other negative influences that affect our school community and nation. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that every student is protected and that all students know they are loved.

"We know that the most powerful lessons we teach are the product of our actions and not just our words. We must all work to address the injustices that exist within education and beyond by the conversations we have with others, by speaking up when we see hate, by supporting efforts that oppose racism and oppression, and by directly engaging in advocacy work.
"Our every action will shape the future that our children will inherit. Henderson County Public Schools is committed to shaping a future of integrity, respect, inclusivity, and justice for all."