School Board President and School Superintendent statement on your opportunity to voice your opinion on the “Indians” logo issue
Dear Peru Students, Staff, Parents/Guardians and Community Members,
During the July community forums, it was shared that as part of the District’s efforts to provide a more inclusive environment in line with its Mission and Core Beliefs: “We value inclusivity and hold diversity and respect paramount.” The Board of Education believed that it had the responsibility to correct the culturally inappropriate use of the term “Indians” as a logo, in media or as a mascot. The Board of Education is respectful of the past and the pride that was exhibited over the years through the success Peru has accomplished and does not diminish those proud traditions. It is time to move forward and adopt a new nickname/mascot for the district that creates a more inclusive environment for future generations. Participants asked to be included in the August 18th meeting.
The Board of Education is committed to the community and will open the August 18th meeting within the guidelines of public of comment at the second comment session as set forth in the Board Policy 1230: Public Participation at Board Meetings. In the policy it states: “A second 30-minute time period may be set aside at the end of each Board meeting for public comment on matters pertaining to the district but not on the agenda. No speaker will be permitted to speak for longer than (3) three minutes.”
There is still the maximum number of fifty (50) at a gathering and the Board will allow thirty-five (35) community members to participate at the Board Meeting and everyone else will be able to watch the live streaming of the meeting. Community members can also send their comments to perucomments@perucsd.org. The public comment section will be open on Friday, August 14, 2020 through Tuesday, 12:00 noon, August 18, 2020. Responses will have a maximum of 300 words.
The Board is asking for anyone interested in attending the meeting to pre-register. A pre-registration form will be located on the front page of the website 8/4/20 until 8/12/20. If the number of interested individuals exceeds 35, the District will randomly select in a lottery format for those that would be able to attend. * In case of a lottery selection, it will be done on Thursday, August 13th at 6:00 pm. It will be aired for transparency purposes.
Thank you for your interest in our District.
Bonnie Berry
Board President
Dr. Thomas Palmer
Superintendent
Posted: August 4th, 2020 under Education News, Peru School News, Peru/Regional History.