OSBA has compiled resources to help your district have critical conversations on diversity and equity issues. If you need further assistance, contact OSBA at (614) 540-4000.

OSBA Diversity and Equity Committee

The OSBA Diversity and Equity Committee provides a forum for addressing the unique challenges and opportunities facing diverse school board members. Committee members share concerns, ideas and suggestions with each other and OSBA. The committee has compiled tool kits to address barriers to learning students face.

• diversity and inclusion
• equity in education
• chronic absenteeism and attendance
• mental health resources
• poverty

OSBA Black Caucus

The OSBA Black Caucus' mission is to promote and provide education to its members and/or interested parties on unique challenges and opportunities faced by African-American board members throughout the state of Ohio. Recent initiatives include:

• Review a presentation by Dr. Roger Cleveland titled, "Implicit Bias: A Barrier to Equity & Excellence," presented on April 17, 2021
• Applications are being accepted for the Leo Lucas Scholarship. The deadline is May 15. Named for the late Leo Lucas, a Dayton City school board member and educator who founded the caucus, the scholarship provides graduating ethnically diverse high school seniors funds for college.

Affiliate Consultants

These consultants bring to your district the resources needed to affect student performance. The tools provided through these resources will deliver high-quality instruction, resource allocation and accountability to narrow the achievement gap. For more information about these services, contact Mark E. Bobo, OSBA director of membership relations, at (614) 540-4000 or (800) 589-OSBA. Learn more about the consulting groups:

• A L Berry Consulting Inc.
• Daniel Juday LLC
• Franchise D&I Solutions LLC
• Rice Education Consulting LLC

Other resources

• Educational equity in Ohio

  Resources to support school boards navigating the sometimes rough waters of educational equity, while staying the course toward their pursuit of positive outcomes for every student.
   

• OSBA Leading the Way podcast Season 2, Episode 4: Changing the school culture: Fostering diversity, inclusion and equity

  Schools have reinforced their efforts to develop effective school policies against racial inequality following the death of George Floyd and the large protests over the summer. Districts have committed to change, creating community task forces and hiring director-level equity officers. Two of OSBA's diversity and equity consultants, Kim Brazwell and Daniel Juday, join the Leading the Way podcast to discuss how schools can prioritize and promote diversity and equity and do it the right way. 

Racism/equity plank added to OSBA Legislative Platform

In October 2020, the OSBA Delegate Assembly approved a racism/equity plank to be included in the OSBA Legislative Platform:

Racism/equity

There is no place for racism or hatred in our schools. We acknowledge the historical, generational and compounding reality of the systems, structures and practices that have created and continue to afford advantages to some groups while perpetuating inequities for others. Race, ethnicity and socioeconomic background inequalities produce unequal opportunities for student success. Strong public schools are the great equalizer, and education provides the foundation to change perceptions and attitudes. It is imperative that Ohio implement meaningful solutions that eliminate racism, social injustice, disparate discipline and bias, as well as foster equity to provide a catalyst for sustained improvement for students of color and impoverished communities.

Inequitable systems of school finance at the federal, state and local levels, including special grants, caps and guarantees, fail to provide schools with adequate or sufficient funding to achieve a world-class education necessary to prepare students for the future. OSBA is committed to ensuring school boards have the resources they need to provide students of all backgrounds and abilities with a high-quality education. It is essential that we create an inclusive environment that ensures that our students have a future that allows all students to be successful, no matter their race, ethnicity or socioeconomic background.

OSBA supports legislation that

• Creates an inclusive environment that ensures students are provided opportunities for achievement and success no matter their race, ethnicity or socioeconomic background.
• Provides districts with the resources and tools they need to provide students of all backgrounds and abilities a high-quality education.
• Removes and actively repairs racial and social inequities to ensure positive educational outcomes for our students in alignment with our mission and vision.
• Funds racial and social justice programs in Ohio’s public schools.
• Addresses racial disparities in discipline through restorative justice.
• Funds equitable education throughout the state of Ohio.

OSBA opposes legislation that

• Limits resources and/or opportunities for students of color and those who are traditionally underserved based on their ethnicity or socioeconomic background.