An effort to launch a racial equity group in the Greater Westerville community includes several Westerville City School District educators, administrators, and a board member.
In all, 30 community members across various sectors in the area will serve as a launch team to establish the organization and hire a community chief diversity officer. Organizers have noted that the challenges faced are not unique to Westerville and that it is up to community members to come together and respond to eradicate racism and racial inequities.
The launch team members from the district include:
-
Jennifer Aultman, Board Member, Westerville Board of Education and Westerville Partners for Education
-
Ernest Clinkscale, Elementary Principal, Westerville City Schools
-
Cynthia M. DeVese, Coordinator of Educational Equity, Westerville City Schools
-
William K. Ragland II, Assistant Principal, Westerville City Schools
-
LaTresa Rieves, English Learners Facilitator, Westerville City Schools
-
Lee Rutherford, Teacher/ELA Department Facilitator, Blendon Middle School
Other members of the launch team include leaders and representatives from the Westerville Public Library, Westerville Education Foundation, Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Westerville, Otterbein University, and several Westerville businesses and community groups.
Learn more about the group here.