Lori Graham
Contributing Writer
MONTGOMERY COUNTY – The changing of the current Office of Equity and Diversity to the Office of Access and Opportunity has been met with public concern.
Citizens’ comments were heard by the Montgomery County Public Schools Board members and audience during their Mar. 18 meeting.
At the Mar. 4 board meeting, Director of Equity and Diversity Guylene Wood-Setzer and Administrator of Equity Compliance Stacie Wright presented the pending name change. According to their presentation, overarching goals of the office and name change is to emphasize positive outcomes for every student, clarify the purpose of the office and to establish the department as a valuable resource.
Of those who addressed the board, most supported not changing the name, while one citizen stated that the current concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) does not work.
“Regarding DEI, there are those that know they are using race or other categories as a Marxist tool to break down unity and cohesiveness by fostering continued division among stereotyped groups of people, and there are those that truly believe that diversity means unity and a higher standard,” Kimberly Williamson of Christiansburg said.
Judy Brewalski, who said she had helped develop 2021-26 strategic plans equity statement and principles and equity action steps as part of an action team, spoke in opposition to changing the name.
“I was surprised to hear the request to rename the Office of Equity to the Office of Educational Access and Opportunity,” Brewalski said. “As a community member and taxpayer, I am proud of the commitment the board made in 2018 to create an Office of Equity, and of the work of Mrs. Wood-Setzer, Mrs. Wright, and Mrs. Diggs before them.” Brewalski said she did not see the need to rename the office and that it would “dimmish the value of equity work.”
The presentation slides are available in their entirety, with contact information for Wood-Setzer and Wright, through the www.mcps.org website in Board Docs.
The MCPS board will meet again on April 1, 2025, beginning at 7 p.m. Interested citizens who may not be able to attend in person can view the meeting live streamed on YouTube.
