Burt Township School District Opinion on Recent Global Events

We are living in a time when genuine and effective communication is at the heart of our daily decisions, political beliefs, and ideologies. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan, often characterized as the heart of the Midwest, and quintessential Americana, shares in the belief that Black Lives Matter. As educational leaders in the Upper Peninsula, we play an important role in addressing the social and systemic inequities that are still present in the world today. 

In the Upper Peninsula, we call ourselves “Yoopers” and refer to being “Yooper Strong.” Let us unite in our strength to stand against racism, inhumane, or unfair treatment for any and all marginalized groups of people. As the educational leaders who serve, educate, shape, and mold the local, state, and global leaders of the future, our children, let us commit to the re-doubling of our efforts to address the systemic inequalities that have gone unaddressed.

As educational leaders and advocates for all children, regardless of race, gender, creed, sexual orientation, beliefs, or any other protected category, we know that public education is the great equalizer. Rather than focusing on the removal of resources from systems under scrutiny and often highlighted by the media, we should evaluate the necessary resources committed to the public education system tasked to create a better future by addressing the all-encompassing needs of our children. For too long, we have taken a reactive approach to addressing the needs of people who are in the most difficult of circumstances while the opportunity to take a proactive approach to addressing the systemic barriers for many of our families has received insufficient consideration. Public education and human service departments typically have an “open door policy to all who enter” but must do so within their means.

Behavior, like many things, falls on a continuum.  We learn early in our lives what is characterized as “good,” or acceptable, and what is “bad,” or unacceptable. Given our propensity as a technologically-savvy species, we have the ability to capture “bad” behavior on camera and share it with multiple media outlets. Any superintendent, principal, or teacher can illustrate the positive power of this ability simply by sharing the highlights of their respective social media offerings. Public schools demonstrate every day the positive effects of a color-aware and collaborative approach to problem solving in a safe environment. Let us not lose sight of our opportunities to promote public education in a fair and equitable environment. 

In a world that is focused on data-based decisions, and research-based interventions, why not focus on an intervention that we know works? Education.  Moreover, public education should be considered part of the solution to the problem of racism, prejudice, and social inequities. 

Finally, let us not lose the focus of this message in all the rhetoric. As educators, educational leaders, Yoopers, and human beings, our heart goes out to the family of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and all those who are oppressed, marginalized, or those who are minimalized in today’s society. May we all work together to effectively address the discriminatory practices, systemic inequities, racism, and prejudice that stands in the way of our progress as a species.