For the second year in a row, The Executive Director of Prospect Ridge Academy has attempted to hire a political activist into the role of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant for the school.(see photos from consultant's social media here) The photos and messages demonstrate a strong bias against some and lack of inclusion for all. The purpose of this consultant is to gather data from staff and older students and subsequently take the school on a “culture journey.” Many teachers, staff and parents are concerned and dismayed at the lack of consideration for staff/parental input, or even an attempt to inform stakeholders of the decision. When asking questions or stating facts about the situation, parents are being censored on PRA Facebook groups. PRA leadership has failed to demonstrate transparency in this matter. The executive director has declined to hold a town hall where stakeholders could ask questions.

As parent/staff members and equal stakeholders in the PRA community, we respectfully declare the following:

1. This is the second time the ED has pursued a political activist for this role while failing to be transparent with parents/staff in the process. We petition the BOD to provide a more thorough oversight of any cultural change at PRA and to prevent the hiring of an activist to ensure all students and stakeholders are represented equally in this process.

2. We expect that our students will have an apolitical education, where values taught at home will not be undermined by adult school representatives. While we support PRA’s efforts in student “character development” and that “kindness and character matter”, as stated in PRA’s mission and strategic plan, we maintain the authority of raising our children.

3. Parents expect transparency and clarity regarding large school developments that affect our children before they occur. This is not equivalent to hiring an architect, contractor or teacher. Cultural efforts affect individual students on a personal, developmental level. Parents are not inconsequential to the cultural efforts and developments of the administration and BOD. They deserve to give input and understand specifics before decisions are made.

4. A “cultural journey” is an open-ended process with endless implications. Parents and staff want to know what this means. Why is this being pursued? What are the specific desired results? We want to be assured this will not open a backdoor to political ideology being incorporated into our children's educational experience, and that academic excellence will be the focus at PRA.

5. The ED recently made a statement asking for improved behavior from the community, which we agree is important. We ask that the ED and BOD kindly consider the implications of pursuing an activist consultant and a “cultural journey” for our children without our knowledge or input. Transparency and trust will help greatly with community mentality, temperament and ultimately culture.

We encourage PRA's BOD to employ a strong sense of governance in this matter and to listen to the community members who have come together to send this message.

Consultant social media photos here