Education Committee

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A core belief of Woodbury for Justice and Equality is that diversity is an asset to our community. This is especially true in the classroom, where all students benefit as they prepare for a future in an increasingly multicultural world. The mission of the education committee is to identify systemic and acute challenges that undermine the educational potential in our students and exacerbate inequities.  Once identified, we will work to advocate for marginalized students, support equitable policy changes, and seek just outcomes for all individuals during their educational journey.  

1) Develop relationships with school district administration, staff, and students/families

2) Explore current policies and learn about inequitable practices

3) Amplify equity needs and equity work in Woodbury school districts

4) Assist with dissemination of key information to the community

5) Encourage community engagement in education

• W4J&E members wrote to the ISD 833 School Board and Superintendent to THANK THEM for passing the RACIAL EQUITY POLICY on Aug 26, 2021.  This policy shows a commitment to racial equity that demonstrates leadership in this community.  They approved a racial equity resolution in Nov 2020, laying the ground work for this policy. We applaud this effort and want to show our appreciation for their work.  Please review the policy below.
• Attend 833 & 834 school board meetings and invite friends
• Speak at 834's open forum or 833's public comment
• Write letters to the editor for local newspapers with equity based themes
• Write emails in support of equity themes to admin and school board
• Reach out to relevant/appropriate education staff (e.g., my kids’ teachers and principals) to develop relationships
• Host listening sessions: students, families
• Speak up on social media platforms when equity issues come up
• Join committees, any of them, as a person who supports equity initiatives
• Join election campaigns and levy efforts
• Learn about good equity work that is already occurring in the districts, write about/share that as well to amplify that. 
• Communicate with school leaders (superintendents, principals, teachers) to encourage amplification of their voices 

The Education Committee meets monthly. Please reach out to join us at any time if you are passionate education and feel you would like to learn more about or have something to contribute to our efforts.  

April 2023 Legislative Advocacy: Education Committee members reached out to ISD 833 & ISD 834 for feedback on the impact of the pending legislation.  Then we wrote a letter to our local legislators and the governor thanking them for the potential investment in schools as well as advocating for more funding to cover some new employment mandates which our local districts identified as a potential challenge.  We were thrilled to get a response from Senator Mitchell and are grateful for her work this term. 

September 25, 2022 Local Candidate Meet & Greet: The Education & City Government Committees joined forces this year to host a Local Candidate Meet & Greet at Powers Lake Park.  Candidates were asked to complete a questionnaire of equity focused questions which were posted on this website.  Most were then invited to attend a casual event to meet with community members.  Many of these candidates went on to be elected in November and are now serving our community. 

January 13, 2022 Meeting with Steve Sandell:  W4J&E Education Committee invited Minnesota State Representative for Woodbury Steve Sandell to meet with us in January.  We have been investigating paths to continue our equity work and asked about current efforts at the state legislature that would align with our mission.  After an enlightening conversation, we are now processing many ideas and will figure out ways to integrate them into our next activities. 

October 5, 2021 833 School Board Candidate Meet & Greet:  After sending a survey to all 9 candidates in the ISD 833 school board race, the Education Committee invited the four whose responses clearly aligned with our mission to a Candidate Meet and Greet at Edgewater Park.  Around 40 people joined us for an informal yet informative gathering on a beautiful Saturday to visit with Pat Driscoll, Sharon VanLeer, and Katie Schwartz.   Enrique Ramos was unable to attended.  We also posted their survey answers on our website under Up Coming Events.   

We are thrilled to announce that on November 2, that Driscoll, VanLeer and Schwartz were reelected to their seats.  We so appreciate their dedication to educational equity and stepping up for another term to continue that work. 

September 2, 2021 Meeting: Education Committee met to discuss ways to follow and support the 833 school board race.  There are 4 seats up for election this November.  We have started to research the 9 candidates who filed and brainstorming ways to engage in this election cycle.  If you are interested in helping, please reach out and come to our next meeting.  We are hoping to post updates throughout the election season.  

If you are interested in learning about what a School Board Member does, watch the webinar, School Board 101, hosted by the Woodbury/ Cottage Grove League of Women Voters.  It was recorded on Sept 8, 2021. 

On August 12, 2021, Ivy Miller gave an open forum speech on behalf of Woodbury for Justice & Equality at the Stillwater School Board Meeting.  ISD 834 serves the northeast corner of Woodbury residents.  She spoke in support of the upcoming referendum tying the need for appropriate funding to our greater cause of promoting equity work in the district.