Bellefonte Area School District

Inclusiveness, diversity and equity update
Sept. 8, 2020

Editor's note: To see the presentation at the school board meeting, visit this link: Presentation, Sept. 8. You may also find notes from the presentation, here: Report, Sept. 8

The topic of inclusiveness, diversity and equity isn’t one that’s only discussed at Bellefonte Area School District – it’s a topic that has the attention of others from across Centre County. That’s why district administrators involved in the IDE plan have been regularly working with area professionals versed in this field to help bring a better understanding of it to Bellefonte Area schools.

“We figure the more we can make this a countywide issue than just an individual school issue, then the more success we’re going to have and more of an impact we’re going to make,” said Mike Baughman, vice principal of Bellefonte Area Middle School who is helping lead the district’s IDE campaign.

At the regular Bellefonte Area school board meeting on Sept. 8, Baughman gave a presentation regarding an update to the district’s inclusiveness, diversity and equity plan, which he is helping to lead with Human Resources Director Michelle Simpson. The two have met regularly with Seria Chatters, the director of diversity and inclusivity for State College Area School District that Baughman said has helped the district set a foundation in its “exploratory phase” for guidance and resources.

Interim superintendent Tammie Burnaford said that along with meeting with Chatters, the district also plans to work more with Heather Bennett from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association; and other equity consultants from the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

The district is also following its tentative timeline for the school year, though Baughman stressed that the main focus is on doing things right, rather than rushed.

“We have obviously been paying a great deal of attention to the timeline that was set forth and we also realize as we go through these processes … if they’re more involved than we initially thought, then we’re not going to rush through things just to follow the timeline," he said. "Especially with matters like this, it’s important we do them the right way. We have been working hard to get this off the ground and continue what was started in this district, and we’re excited about it and ready to keep moving forward.”

With 32 responses from district employees from across many walks of life and different areas of work, an IDE committee has been established to help oversee some of the initiatives. That includes members from the district’s administration, professional staff and support staff. The first committee meeting will be held Sept. 22 with a goal to identify a mission, vision and other aspects of the group.