Editor’s note: The Addison Central School Board agreed on this statement regarding the flying of the Black Lives Matter flag at Middlebury Union High School, and board Chair Mary Cullinane read the statement at this past Friday’s flag-raising ceremony.

After considerable debate and deliberation, on Oct. 11, 2021, the Addison Central School District (ACSD) Board unanimously voted to fly the Black Lives Matter flag on the government flag pole in front of the Middlebury Union High School through the end of the 2021/22 academic year. The board has issued the following statement in support of its action:

The Addison Central School Board recognizes the academic disparities that exist between white students and non-white students, as well as the increased rates of exclusionary discipline for students of color in public schools, both in Vermont and across the nation. The board also acknowledges physical and mental health disparities that exist between white and non-white populations in Vermont, and the impact of health and well-being on a student’s access to learning.

We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical to achieving ACSD’s vision and foundational goals. We recognize that much more work is needed to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for non-white members of our learning community, and the ACSD Board is committed to that work.

To publicly demonstrate this commitment and to stand in solidarity with the Middlebury Union High School Student Coalition On Human Rights, the ACSD Board will fly the Black Lives Matters flag from the MUHS government flag pole in our support of those members of our community who have been and continue to be impacted by racism.