Concord School District Enhances DEIB Initiative with New Reporting System

The Concord School District has implemented significant enhancements to its diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) Initiative over the past year, focusing on anti-racism education.

One of the key developments is the launch of a new bias incident reporting system. This initiative aims to create a safe environment where students and staff can report any bias, discrimination, or hate crimes. Andrew Nyamekye, the district’s DEIB director, shared insights into the rollout process.

In preparation for the new school year, the district has prioritized messaging the parent community regarding the reporting system. The implementation of the bias incident response protocol began three years ago under Nyamekye’s leadership. All staff members were informed about the protocol and reporting form through departmental meetings.

In addition to meetings, an assembly was held at Concord Middle School to explain the bias response protocol to the student body. A reporting form will be displayed in every classroom, equipped with a QR code that allows quick access to the reporting system for all students, faculty, and staff.

The school district is in the process of collecting data on reported hate-driven incidents from the past school year. According to an extensive racial equity audit conducted during the 2022-23 school year, a majority of parents and teachers feel comfortable reporting incidents of harassment, while many students, particularly at the middle and high school levels, remain unaware of the incident reporting process.

As part of its commitment to staff training, all support staff undergo implicit bias training each summer. In its inaugural year, over 100 employees participated in this training, which spans a range of positions, including bus drivers and cafeteria workers.

Students are also being educated on DEIB topics through annual schoolwide assemblies at the high school level and programs like the Celtics Playbook Initiative for middle school students. These endeavors seek to engage students in anti-discrimination and anti-bullying efforts.

The district remains dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ students through student organizations such as the Spectrum Club and the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA). These clubs provide platforms for representation and engagement, staffed by faculty advisors who embody the identity they support.