The Real Work

The Westhampton Beach School District took its first tentative steps toward addressing a serious problem, and in doing so finally appeared to stop backpedaling. That alone is reason for optimism, even as students, parents and residents might grumble about what it took to get to this point.

Last week, the district’s Equity Committee gave a presentation, its first since it was formed nearly a year ago. In that time, complaints have advanced about the culture in Westhampton Beach’s classrooms, worrying sentiments among its students and faculty, and a dissatisfaction with the responsiveness toward these issues. For a time, the response has been defensive, to focus on the complainers rather than the complaints. Finally, the district might be ready to begin the real work.

Two educators — Lisa Slover, the elementary school principal, and Jessica Williams, director of curriculum and instructional technology — co-chair the committee. On Monday, June 7, they began outlining a plan of attack based on six meetings held in the past year, agreeing to form a trio of subcommittees focusing on equity at school, diversity and integration, and how the curriculum might better reflect issues related to community and social justice.

“This has really been a top priority in many places, and we wanted to make it a top priority in Westhampton,” Ms. Slover said, adding that it was time for the district “to engage in the conversations that are often very difficult to have.”

Absolutely. Those conversations have begun — they started with a group of parents and residents who were adamant that the School Board, and the district’s administrators, acknowledge what too many current and former students agree: Westhampton Beach is not an inclusive district, as much as it might aspire to be. There is real work to do on that front.

“We want to foster shifts in attitude and awareness of K-12 educators, parents and community members on matters of equity, race and cultural diversity, and allow all parties to develop the confidence to create inclusive, safe and empathetic learning environments for all students,” Ms. Williams said. “It’s important, ongoing, and we want to see it continue.”

Yes, those are words, just words. But they’re the right words, finally. It can “set a new tone,” as district resident Meryl Spiegel urged at the meeting. In itself, it’s not a solution, not an answer, but the start of a process to find it. That’s a trying task, but a necessary one for Westhampton Beach to tackle.