MESD Apologizes for Past LGBTQ Discrimination
Throughout my career as an educator and community member, I’ve actively promoted the inclusion of and support for members of the LGBTQ community. That same support has not always occurred at MESD. On behalf of the MESD Board and administration, I acknowledge and apologize to those who were impacted by discriminatory actions, on the basis of sexual orientation, that occurred in the past and reaffirm the agency’s commitment to an ongoing practice of dismantling these harmful and inhumane actions.
We apologize to Mr. Brett Bigham. No one should have to endure the discriminatory actions that Mr. Bigham describes experiencing at MESD. They were wrong when they occurred, just as they would be wrong today.
We unequivocally reject discrimination, intimidation, harassment, bigotry, homophobia and racism in all its forms. We applaud the recent Supreme Court decision to outlaw workplace discrimination for LGBTQ people.
We acknowledge our responsibility to continuously improve our practices and processes. In 2017, the MESD Board adopted equity as a core value. Consistent with that value the MESD Board created an equity and inclusion committee, adopted a board equity policy and board equity lens and led a regional effort to provide board equity training, approved a regional partnership that provides trainings and professional development for employees on equity and inclusion, and allocated resources to establish a regional equity leadership position and support an employee-led equity and inclusion committee which created the agency equity lens and continues to advise the agency on practices that support equity and inclusion.
We’re dedicated to disrupting discrimination. We’ll continue to advance inclusive practices not only in the workplace, but also in the classrooms for our students, and in the districts that we serve.
Helen L. Ying
Board Chair
Multnomah ESD
We apologize to Mr. Brett Bigham. No one should have to endure the discriminatory actions that Mr. Bigham describes experiencing at MESD. They were wrong when they occurred, just as they would be wrong today.
We unequivocally reject discrimination, intimidation, harassment, bigotry, homophobia and racism in all its forms. We applaud the recent Supreme Court decision to outlaw workplace discrimination for LGBTQ people.
We acknowledge our responsibility to continuously improve our practices and processes. In 2017, the MESD Board adopted equity as a core value. Consistent with that value the MESD Board created an equity and inclusion committee, adopted a board equity policy and board equity lens and led a regional effort to provide board equity training, approved a regional partnership that provides trainings and professional development for employees on equity and inclusion, and allocated resources to establish a regional equity leadership position and support an employee-led equity and inclusion committee which created the agency equity lens and continues to advise the agency on practices that support equity and inclusion.
We’re dedicated to disrupting discrimination. We’ll continue to advance inclusive practices not only in the workplace, but also in the classrooms for our students, and in the districts that we serve.
Helen L. Ying
Board Chair
Multnomah ESD
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COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - updated 5/27/2020, 1:00 pm
More Info: Multnomah County Health Department | Oregon Health Authority (OHA) | Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Dial 2-1-1, 7 days a week 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. for answers to your basic COVID-19 questions. Distance Learning Resources During School Closure The MESD Instructional Services Department has created a google site to support educators in ensuring students and families can access distance learning resources during the COVID-19 emergency school closure in Oregon. Please visit the site HERE. |
Multnomah Education Service District |
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Multnomah Education Service District is an educational cooperative that provides a wide variety of programs and services on a regional basis to school districts in Multnomah County and beyond. MESD is one of 19 ESDs in Oregon.
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Every student we serve benefits from a safe and supportive learning environment where they receive personalized, creative, equitable, and cutting-edge education, health and technology services. |
