Educational Equity Committee Meeting Minutes – May 13, 2022

Our Mission: The Sioux City Community School District exists to educate students to believe in their talents and skills, achieve academic excellence and succeed in reaching their potential.

Chairperson: Tito Parker

Secretary: Lizzy Díaz

The Educational Equity Committee met on Friday, May 13, 2022, at the ESC Room 102.

Committee Members Present: Karen Mackey, Rhonda McGarry, Jacob Harlan, Sherry Martin, Kristine Bata, Norma Azpeitia and Laura Mesz.

District Employees and School Board Directors Present: Dr. Jung, Director Monique Scarlett, Joe Riker, Director Dr. Julie Albert, Director Perla Alarcon-Flory and Lizzy Díaz.

Visitors: Dr. Jen Gomez and Kristin Gray

Affirmative Action Plan

Dr. Jung welcomed the committee and started the meeting, per the committee chair’s request. Dr. Gomez presented an updated version of the Affirmative Action Plan. Dr. Gomez shared with the committee that even though the minority applicants have risen over the years, the District does not match the diversity student/staff. Dr. Jung informed the committee of the training in Diversity and Inclusion that teachers have during their professional development. Dr. Gomez let the committee know about an apprenticeship opportunity for Instructional Assistants to attend college and become a teacher through Morningside University, pending approval through a grant.

Language Instruction Education Program (LIEP-ESL) Review Presentation

Dr. Jung presented to the committee the program review for the Language Instruction Education Program (LIEP), previously known as English as a Second Language (ESL), discussing the purpose and recommendations. Kristin Gray, the World Languages Coordinator, continued the presentation by sharing with the committee that we have a total of 46 different languages spoken by our 3,020 English language learners (EL). Ms. Gray also informed the committee of the program models that are currently in place to meet the needs of the EL students. Included are ESL, Sheltered Instruction, Newcomer Program, and Dual Language.