The Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Education approved two racial equity policies this summer following recent anti-racism movements. The policies, as described in the Board’s Sept. 9th meeting, target the disadvantages that students with diverse backgrounds face. One resolution addresses administrative regulations surrounding racial equity, and the other is an educational equity policy.

The Racial Equity policy and the Educational Equity are results of months of hard work from the Board and community members dating back to June of this year. In the Board’s Sept. 9th meeting, the Board praised several aspects of the policies, highlighting their plans for hiring a dedicated internal Director of Equity, who would carry out and oversee the district’s equity policies.

“The community is realizing the diversity in our schools because obviously, it isn’t just about white people in general. It’s about all the cultures that are upon us in all of the schools, including Piedmont,” junior Amir Singh said.

Both policies were approved by the Board on Sept. 9th in their virtual meeting, and feedback from the district has been supportive overall, having both received unanimous votes from the Board.

“When we all live together and are not treating each other poorly and with racist ideas, then we will have achieved our goal and made these policies a reality,” said PMS teacher and School Liaison Coordinator of the Piedmont Anti-Racism and Diversity Committee Karen Bloom. “The reason behind this is to make our community a better place, and when we make the community a better place, we make the world a better place.”

Digital copies of the two policies can be found on the PUSD website.