Mountain Brook Schools To Implement Diversity Committee Plan

MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL — Mountain Brook City Schools announced it will implement changes in all of its schools for the coming school year based on recommendations from the Board of Education's Diversity Committee.

The system has already started putting some of the recommendations in place over the last few months of the current school year.

Formed in 2020, the Mountain Brook Schools Diversity Committee in December presented five recommendations to the school district to help it more effectively achieve one of its primary strategic goals: to develop or enhance structures and practices to ensure the school district honors individual differences, diversity, and the dignity of all, and that all members of the school community are treated with respect.

“Our school district is dedicated to enhancing how we honor and respect diversity and remains grateful to everyone who is helping lay the foundation for long-term growth,” MBS Superintendent Dicky Barlow said. “While we are putting critical pieces into place, our work is only just beginning.”

Each Mountain Brook school has already formed its own diversity committee that will develop programming to enhance students’ experiences and create opportunities for them to interact and partner with diverse communities and people. The school-based diversity committees consist of teachers, school leaders, parents, and students, with one or two committee members serving in leadership roles.

“Our school diversity committees are currently conducting school audits to determine where their schools are with regard to culture, climate, and where they feel like we need to steer that conversation in year one,” said MBS Director of Student Services Amanda Hood, who serves as a liaison between the school district and Diversity Committee.

Additionally, the school district started to develop partnerships with local and national organizations as resources for professional learning, student training, and parent support.

Close to 500 MBS employees have already completed anti-bias training through the Anti-Defamation League. Before the start of the 2021-2022 school year, all employees are required to complete the training.

“The anti-bias training is really about the lens through which you see the world that has been formed by your upbringing, experiences, and communities you’ve lived in,” Hood said. “It really pushes you to stand back and reflect on how those things have shaped your opinions, thoughts, and lens.”

Principals and school-based diversity committee leaders are also completing leadership training through the Anti-Defamation League and are preparing to implement the ADL’s No Place for Hate program on their campuses next school year. The No Place for Hate program equips schools to build learning communities of inclusivity, respect, and equity.

"Local school diversity committees will establish a minimum of three genuine, authentic, interactive experiences that will occur in their schools to start important conversations and enhance culture," Hood said.

School district leadership will also consider recommendations from students who are part of the Diversity Committee's student subcommittee.

“Right now we have a general code in our student handbook about bullying, intimidation, and harassment,” Hood said. “But our students recommended that our school district look at this more closely."

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