BY MATT LINDSEY
North Country This Week

CANTON — A Canton parent of biracial children is calling on the school board to do more to address diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Lauren Diop has organized a “Call to Action Against Hate Speech at Canton Central, which invites any person who “cares about the social well-being and safety of all students at the school,’ according to her Facebook page.

Diop and others are likely to address the school board and Superintendent Ron Burke at the regularly scheduled school board meeting Thursday, Dec. 9, at 6:45 p.m. in the high school library.

She asks people to get involved however they can. Suggestions include speaking at the meeting Dec. 9, writing a letter to the Board or superintendent, and talking to children about how to safely stand up for themselves and others.

Superintendent Burke said the district has started addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“During the summer, the Board of Education prioritized the creation of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Committee,” Burke said. “Understanding the importance of the work ahead, the DEI Advisory Committee has met with prospective DEI consultants. The consultant will work with us to establish a baseline of our school community’s progress with DEI, examine policies and procedures to identify bias that impedes DEI and assist in planning strategies to improve our overall DEI work.”

In July, Diop penned a letter to Superintendent Burke and the school board addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“Schools in our area have had committees running all year to address topics surrounding diversity and Canton has not taken that step. They recently met to discuss committees needed for the year ahead and there is no committee focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Diop writes.

In the letter to the district, Diop, who calls herself a Golden Bear since birth, questioned whether Canton was the best place to raise her four biracial daughters, wondering if they would feel “welcomed, acknowledged, celebrated, and have their voices be not only heard but valued.”

She closes the letter by asking the district to form a committee that includes diverse voices and stakeholders to further discussions and outline steps to make the school and community a more welcoming place for all.

Burke did not say if he received the letter or had spoken directly to Diop about the issue. Attempts to reach Diop for direct comment have been unsuccessful so far.

Burke's complete statement is as follows:

“Canton Central School has long been recognized for its academic excellence, athletic achievements and artistic creativity. We have many reasons to be proud of our school and our community, yet the divisions that gain attention on a national level are also present here. When we thoughtfully consider our own experiences and truly listen to our neighbors, it is clear that our goal of achieving full inclusion has not yet been reached.

"In an effort to achieve that goal, the Board of Education has prioritized the creation of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Committee. Understanding the importance of the work ahead, the DEI Advisory Committee has met with prospective DEI consultants. The consultant will work with us to establish a baseline of our school community’s progress with DEI, examine policies and procedures to identify bias that impedes DEI and assist in planning strategies to improve our overall DEI work.

"Successfully implementing DEI actions requires the entire community. We must be unified in our position that hateful speech and actions are not tolerated; that hateful speech and actions do not represent any aspect of our Canton community.

“On December 9, a rally is being organized to call for an end to hateful speech. This rally will occur at 6:45 PM during the Board of Education meeting. By attending this event, community members will be showing their support for the work that lies before us. Together, we can make our school and our community a better place for all.”