One District 186 board member took to the microphone at Tuesday’s meeting to speak out against racism amid the proposed reassignment of a black female principal. Erica Austin said the district continues to allow the teachers’ union leadership to tear down female leaders of color and offer no support for them. She added, “The female principals are labeled as angry black women, because they speak with an authoritative voice. They are characterized as hostile, aggressive, overbearing, illogical, ill-tempered and bitter.” As a result, Austin said, it does not allow staff to see “the passion they have to push the school forward.”
Springfield Education Association President Aaron Graves denied those claims saying it is “unfortunate” to be in a position where accusations of misogyny and racism are being “hurled against the union.” He says the accusations are “insulting and untrue”, and the union is doing “what’s best for the kids.”
Superintendent Jennifer Gill says the district teaches cultural responsiveness in the classroom through the curriculum, and the idea of being an “ally to all” was covered at the last three principal meetings. She adds that the district has a chief equity officer and is working on the system’s equity committee that incorporates input from the community. However, she says she is taking Austin’s concerns to heart and plans to read the book she recommends – “We Want to Do More Than Survive” by Bettina Love.
The board approved the change of assignment for Matheny Withrow principal Charlena Jackson to coordinator of the SCOPE program, which provides childcare before and after school for grades K-5 at each elementary school in the district. Board members Buffy Lael-Wolf and Erica Austin voted present. Sarah Blissett was absent. Gill says she sees Jackson as a leader and is excited about looking into new endeavors with Jackson for the SCOPE program.