At its June 11, meeting, the Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts Board of Directors voted to adopt an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Resolution to continue its support and commitment to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in Charter Arts’ programs, practices, and policies.

Board President Mario Acerra said, “The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts was founded on principles of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness. As an arts-focused school, we understand the importance of diversity and know that art and education flourish best in an atmosphere of tolerance and acceptance. Those ideals have long been a key principle of our Strategic Plan. But at this point in our history, the board of directors felt it was important to renew our commitment to these values and to the creation of achievable and measurable goals that ensure the long term sustainability of this effort.”

The school plans to continue the work begun at the June 11 board of directors’ meeting with immediate actions including hiring a Diversity Consultant who will work with the Charter Arts administrative team to create an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Planning Team that will develop an organizational action plan through the fiscal year 2020-21 that will create achievable and measurable goals allocating the resources needed to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion at Charter Arts. This will ensure the development of a Diversity Plan that will offer a wide range of education and social impact programs designed to address personal and systemic barriers to participation among students and community members.

The resolution follows:

The Charter Arts Board of Directors and Administration look forward to continued collaboration with its school community in the advancement of its goals as well as supporting regional and national educational leaders in the advancement of an equitable education system that benefits all students.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE LEHIGH VALLEY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS (Charter Arts), Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

In the Matter of Adopting a Resolution on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

RESOLUTION No . 2020-1 this matter having come before the Board of Directors (Board) on June 11, 2020, and It appearing to the Board that:

? Whereas, the Board is of and for the community of Charter Arts; and

? Whereas, Charter Arts is a diverse school in the State of Pennsylvania; and

? Whereas, a more diverse environment at Charter Arts will lead to better educational, social and health outcomes – than those that are less diverse; and

? Whereas, we, the Charter Arts Board of Directors, recognize the many barriers in our country that impede equity, diversity, and inclusion; and

? Whereas, we recognize and reaffirm Charter Arts’ commitment to creating an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of the student body.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND ORDERED, that on this 11th day of June 2020, the Charter Arts Board of Directors will commit to: 1. Ensuring that the fostering, supporting and strengthening of equity and inclusion in the Charter Arts’ programs, practices and policies becomes an institutional imperative; and 2. Continuing to develop our understanding of the inequities that policies, programs and practices may cause; and 3. Continuing to provide the leadership to make Charter Arts more equitable 4. Allocating and providing the resources needed to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion at Charter Arts and ensuring the development of a Diversity Plan that will serve to ensure the long term sustainability of this effort; and 5. to develop an organizational action plan through fiscal year 2020-21 that will create achievable and measurable goals and include quarterly reports to the Board on the progress of implementing this resolutionDATED this 11th day of June 2020.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS has unanimously approved the adoption of an historic “Resolution on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion” to guide the School’s long-term efforts to advance equity and create a more inclusive community for all.