Dear DCS Community:
One of our district goals, as stated in our strategic plan, is “to foster a culture that all district stakeholders believe is safe, welcoming and inclusive.” Duanesburg CSD is a great place to go to school; however, we also know that there are members of our school community who have not been able to access opportunities available to others because of factors such as socioeconomic status, disability, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Because it is our responsibility to make sure that all students have what they need to be successful in school and beyond, it is unacceptable to allow this inequity to continue.
The process of identifying inequity sometimes means challenging elements of school that many of us have taken for granted our entire lives. Sometimes it also means uncovering our own personal biases or discussing sensitive topics. This year all district staff have begun this process by participating in a series of workshops conducted by an organization called Generation Ready. This organization is also assisting us in analyzing elements of our school to help us become the safe, welcoming, and inclusive district we aspire to become.
Duanesburg CSD is not alone in this work. The New York State Board of Regents recently launched an initiative to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in schools across the state. The districts in the Capital Region are all at various stages in their equity work, but the superintendents of the region and their Boards of Education have all agreed to the principal statement below. I am proud to add my name to theirs and commit our district to the cause of equity.
Dr. James Niedermeier
Superintendent of Schools
Duanesburg Central School District
Equity Statement of Commitment – #24United
The Duanesburg Central School District stands together with the 24 school districts that comprise the Capital Region BOCES region in our shared responsibility to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students, particularly those who have been historically marginalized. It is our commitment that the diverse experiences and perspectives of our students, families and staff will be recognized, reflected and embraced in our educational institutions.
While our 24 school communities in the Capital Region each have a unique makeup, we all share one commonality: Our desire to provide an equitable educational experience that ensures opportunities and the necessary support for success for all students. It is our pledge to embrace the diverse experiences, values, beliefs, backgrounds and perspectives of our communities as we endeavor to prepare our students for the society they will encounter in life beyond our school systems.