Durham hires DEI-committed superintendent | Pres. Biden visits Raleigh for post-debate rally
No. 78 — Jun. 23-Jun. 29, 2024
"A commitment to equity and diversity": Durham Public Schools' new superintendent
DPS BOARD OF EDUCATION NAMES DR. ANTHONY S. LEWIS AS NEW SUPERINTENDENT - Press Release
Durham Public Schools picks new superintendent: Dr. Anthony S. Lewis - ABC11
Durham chooses new school superintendent with ‘commitment to equity and diversity’ - N&O
Durham school system names new superintendent - Spectrum News 1
The Durham Public Schools Board of Education has announced the new superintendent for the district, Anthony Lewis, PhD.
According to chairwoman Bettina Umstead, the board was looking for a candidate with "empirical evidence of having facilitated student achievement, a commitment to equity and diversity, and a management sense that would take this district from good to great" (emphasis added).
As to his "equity and diversity" credentials, Lewis was named by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly (D) to the Kansas African American Affairs Commission in 2019, as well as a George Floyd era Commission on Racial Equity and Justice.
In June 2020, after attending a "largely peaceful" BLM march in Lawrence, Kansas, Lewis laid out the following in a message as Superintendent of the Lawrence Public Schools (emphasis added):
Our district’s racial equity journey began nearly 15 years ago with a book study of Courageous Conversations about Race: A Field Guide for Achieving Equity in Schools by Glenn Singleton. We expect all staff to participate in the training “Beyond Diversity: Introduction to Courageous Conversations and a Foundation for Deinstitutionalizing Racism and Eliminating Racial Achievement Disparities.” Our educators participate in culturally relevant teaching training. Each of our schools has an Equity Leadership Team. We evaluate curriculum and other educational resources with a culturally relevant rubric. We engage students in discussions about race and involve our Equity Advisory Council and Parents of Color advisory groups in decision making. Visit www.usd497.org/equity to read more about our district’s equity journey.
We also partner with the Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center. It provides technical assistance and training to public school districts to promote equitable educational opportunities and work in the areas of civil rights, equity, and school reform. While Lawrence Public Schools has made a tremendous amount of progress, we know that there is much more work to be done. To bring about change and disrupt systemic racism and systems of oppression, it is up to each of us to commit to act individually, and dedicate ourselves to working together collectively, to continue these conversations in our classrooms, homes, and community.
If you have children in the Durham Public Schools, you might also want to consider watching Lewis being interviewed on "Educational Equity" as well as "Restorative Practices".
According to his bio, Dr. Lewis's educational experience began as a Special Ed teacher in Alabama, before rising the ranks to become an award winning principal for exceeding national averages at the high-poverty school. Lewis moved on to Assistant Superintendent at "one of the lowest-performing districts in the nation" in Missouri, before being hired at his most recent position as Superintendent of the Lawrence Public Schools in Kansas.
Although I'm skeptical of anyone with a "commitment to equity and diversity", time will tell whether he will accomplish the same results in Durham that have been attributed to his previous positions.
President Biden holds post-debate rally in Raleigh
President Joe Biden responds to criticism of his debate performance during Raleigh campaign stop - ABC11
In Raleigh, a fiery Biden blasts Trump as a threat to democracy, seeks to quell age concerns - NC Newsline
Remarks by President Biden at a Campaign Event | Raleigh, NC - White House
President Biden met with mix of support, protest at Raleigh campaign event - CBS17
'I can do this job': At post-debate rally in Raleigh, Biden tries to move forward - WRAL
President Biden turned to Raleigh to hold a rally yesterday, less than 24 hours after his widely panned debate performance on Thursday. Along with Biden, the speakers included Governor Roy Cooper, Attorney General Josh Stein (Democrat candidate for governor), First Lady Jill Biden, as well as rappers E-40 and Fat Joe.
Although Biden performed quite poorly at the late night debate, his on-stage appearance North Carolina occurred during his good hours (10am-4pm), during which time he is "dependably engaged", according to Axios.
North Carolina's 16 electoral votes are likely to be key in putting either the Biden or Trump campaign over the edge in November. Both campaigns have opened headquarters here in the Triangle, with Biden campaign locations reportedly opening in Orange and Johnston counties; on the other side of things, Trump Force 47 opened it's Wake County headquarters in Raleigh this week with a debate watch party.