The Grandville Education Association believes that every person, regardless of race, color, creed, gender, LGBTQIA+, national origin or physical, intellectual or emotional ability, has the right to equal opportunity for education and employment and equal rights of citizenship as established in the nation and state by the constitutions, statutes and judicial decisions.

WHEREAS, in response to both the current and historically disparate treatment of and biases against the aforementioned persons, and a growing awareness of these injustices in our Grandville community, our State, and our Nation;

WHEREAS, schools should be places for practice of equity, for the building of understanding, and for the active engagement in creating pathways to freedom and justice for all people;

WHEREAS, the Grandville Education Association acknowledges the need to address institutionalized racism and inequity in the communities in which we all coexist;

WHEREAS, we affirm our commitment to the emotional and physical safety of all our Grandville students. It means that our schools and classrooms must be safe spaces for dialogue and support on the relevant issues we are facing;

WHEREAS, the core principle of unions and the labor movement – “An Injury to One is An Injury to All” – requires all working people of conscience to take a stand for justice;

Therefore, Be It Resolved that the GEA:

Will encourage and support Grandville Public Schools’ initiatives reflected in the work of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee. We are committed to finding ways where the GEA can partner with the district’s goals.

Will call upon the district to allot and require professional development opportunities related to race and other challenging topics such as confronting biases, racial micro aggressions, using school-wide data on race and discipline, fears, cultural ignorance, inclusion, and stereotypes of the aforementioned youth to all district staff and associated employees.

Will actively work to foster diversity, equity and inclusion in our local association by reviewing our bylaws and policies that may be contributing to lack of diverse representation within our Association.

Will establish a permanent Grandville Education Association Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

Will promote the understanding, acceptance and recognition of all individuals, regardless of race, color, creed, gender, LGBTQIA+, national origin or physical, intellectual or emotional ability.

Grandville Education Association, 2021