HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-15 Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Minutes
Commission on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Minutes March 15, 2022
North Andover Police Department Conference Room
CALL TO ORDER: At 7:05 pm, the meeting was called to order by Dee Casey, Deputy Town
Manager and Interim Chair.
ATTENDANCE: The following members were present: David VanArsdale (COA); Lawrence
Jay (Clergy); Vera Brockhuysen, (Clergy); Deanna Lima (Community Support Coordinator);
Marinete Henry (Minority Business Owner); Oumayma Dakhama (Race Amity Club); Jennifer
Bauer (Resident); Lt. EJ Foulds (NAPD); Ellen Peters (Building a Respectful Community) and
Dee Casey (Deputy Town Manager and Interim Chair).
ABSENT: Larry Allen (Youth & Recreation Council); VJ Vallala (Resident); Walter Mena
(Resident); Maya Chin (Water/Sewer Department) and Aisha Valdez (Youth & Recreational
Services).
RESIDENT IN ATTENDANCE: Tina Klein introduced herself to the group.
LETTER FROM KRISTYN PERRY: The members read the letter sent via email by Kristyn
Perry who is the mother of children in the North Andover Public School System.
The members discussed the following ideas/themes relative to the letter:
a. The Town and School Department jointly conduct an Equity Audit. The Commission is
aware of the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (https://maec.org) that does this type of
work;
b. The Town and School Department conduct policy and curriculum audits;
c. The Town and School Department consider hiring a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
professional staff person;
d. The School Department share the results of the North Andover Middle School student
survey; and
e. Review the current training curriculum for both Town and School employees.
MOTION: Ms. Lima moved that the North Andover Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission
send a letter to Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues and Superintendent Greg Gilligan. Ms.
Peters seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Members reviewed the minutes.
MOTION: Ms. Lima moved to accept the minutes from December 8, 2020, November 9, 2021
and February 8, 2022. Lt. Foulds seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
NEXT MEETINGS: Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 7:00 pm at the North Andover Police
Department.
MOTION: Ms. Bauer motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:03 PM. Lt. Foulds seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.