EMMAUS, Pa. - A coalition of students, alumni and parents are calling on the East Penn school board to require anti-racism training for all district staff.
During the public comment portion of the virtual board meeting Monday night, about five people identifying themselves as members of the East Penn Coalition of Equality said mandatory anti-racism training would benefit students and help change what they describe as an atmosphere of racial intolerance.
Several students who identified themselves as white delivered remarks provided by their Black classmates, who said they donât feel safe to express themselves and are tired of being discriminated against, dismissed, and unable to embrace their racial identity.
EMMAUS, Pa. â After a lengthy discussion, the East Penn Board of School Directors on Monday night voted to move the district to fully remote instruction from Wednesday, Dec. 16 through Jan. 11.
The board voted 6-3, with board President Ken Bacher and board members Jeffrey Jankowski and Allan Byrd dissenting.
East Penn took a similar measure to move from hybrid to remote instruction for a limited time after its Thanksgiving break.
With surging numbers of COVID-19 cases, the majority of the board members who supported the motion felt the temporary return to remote instruction until Jan. 11 â the next time the board meets â would be the most prudent course of action.