Cory Homer to lead Delaware Valley’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

School board member Cory Homer will lead the Delaware Valley Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, formed in the wake of community outcry over another school board member’s transphobic social media activity.

“One of our first tasks will be to investigate additional training opportunities in the future,” said Homer.

He mentioned the virtual town hall hosted by DVA and the TriVersity Center for Gender & Sexual Diversity, “which I know some members will be attending.”

The session was offered free to the public on Zoom on Tuesday evening. Local resident Ed Gragert offers the session online at tinyurl.com/579s56ej.

TriVersity, based in Milford, wrote a letter to the school board earlier this month asking for a retraction from board member Dawn Bukaj, who posted and promoted transphobic comments.

Bukaj was among the school board directors who did not attend Tuesday’s session. Board president Jack Fisher and members Brian Carso and Rosemary Walsh also did not attend.

In addition to Homer, school board directors in attendance included Jack O’Leary, Jessica Decker, Pam Lufty, and Felicia Sheehan. School board candidates Elizabeth Mallard, E.K. Guyre, and John Johnson also attended. Milford Mayor Sean Strub was also in attendance.

Homer said future training, titled “Equity Minded Leadership for K-12 Board Members,” will be hosted by the Kinect Education Group. There’s a fee attached to the Kinect training.

“Creating an environment that supports equality, diversity, and inclusion is of critical importance, and that starts at the top,” Homer said. “I know myself and other board members are looking forward to learning more on how we can make this happen for every student in the district.”

Superintendent John Bell is asking the community for suggestions that will make the school district a more inclusive and welcoming place for all students and staff.

The TriVersity Center for Gender & Sexual Diversity, based in Milford, wrote a letter to the school board earlier this month asking for a retraction from board member Dawn Bukaj, who posted and promoted transphobic comments.

Homer said future training, titled “Equity Minded Leadership for K-12 Board Members,” will be hosted by the Kinect Education Group. There’s a fee attached to the Kinect training.

“Creating an environment that supports equality, diversity, and inclusion is of critical importance, and that starts at the top,” Homer said. “I know myself and other board members are looking forward to learning more on how we can make this happen for every student in the district.”

Superintendent John Bell is asking the community for suggestions that will make the school district a more inclusive and welcoming place for all students and staff.