Consortium To Study Equity In Monomoy Schools

 When it comes to providing discipline, offering student opportunities, or responding to concerns from parents, are the Monomoy schools treating all students equitably? 

That’s what a district-wide audit is seeking to determine.

 The study isn’t in response to any particular problem, but is one of the goals of the school committee for the current school year. Starting later this month, a consultant will be gathering feedback from faculty, students, parents and community members to ensure that the school’s culture and leadership treat students and staff fairly regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, national origin, color, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or other factors.

 “Monomoy holds up dignity and belonging as part of its core values, and we know that students who feel that they belong are better positioned for success in school and beyond,” Superintendent of Schools Scott Carpenter said. “The equity audit will allow us to reflect upon the practices and structures that may be preventing some students from fully accessing learning opportunities,while at the same time supporting our staff in the important work that they do.”

 The district announced the audit in a news release last month. The audit will be done in partnership with the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC), which has worked with other local school districts in recent years, including Falmouth and Martha’s Vineyard.

 In its work with the Martha’s Vineyard schools in 2023 and 2024, MAEC found that most stakeholders rated the school district as being equitable and inclusive, but its report indicated that some disciplinary policies could be clarified and new efforts could be made to increase staff diversity.

 The district-wide MAEC audit at Monomoy will provide an opportunity for the school system to evaluate and celebrate areas of strength and to identify areas where more work is needed, Carpenter said. The first phase of the work is expected to begin by the end of the month, he said.

 The audit is being conducted at no cost to the district, with MEAC working under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s regional equity assistance program. With diversity, equity and inclusion programs under target by the Trump administration, is Carpenter concerned about the money?

 “Some of the funding from MEAC is from federal grants, which I presume will evaporate given executive orders around DEI at the federal level, but they also have other grants to help offset costs,” he said. “We may need to seek grant funding when looking at the implementation of initiatives to address areas revealed by the audit.”