Columbia Public Schools closer to finalizing equity mission statement

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Public Schools is getting closer to having a new mission statement related to equity and inclusion.

The Columbia Board of Education got an update on work to craft the new statement at a board retreat Thursday.

This comes after students at Rock Bridge High School turned to social media to share stories of racism seen on campus. Chief Equity Officer Carla London, said her team has been working on this mission statement before the social media posts.

"This isn't in response to those because we had already started doing the work, but I do think it's a compliment to that work and also a reminder of how much work there is left to be done," she said.

In 2018, Columbia Public School's Equity Department started to emphasize the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion at CPS. In 2019, the chief equity officer formed an Equity Work Group to work on a new mission statement that would affect budget, recruitment and policy decisions.

London said the mission statement shown at the retreat Thursday is just a draft and is still being looking at by the board. The plan is to wait to release this document to the public until it is finalized in september.

The board also addressed safety issues and concerns teachers are still having about school starting in the fall as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Check back for more on what was discussed at the retreat or watch ABC 17 News at 5 and 6.