District addresses school climate

Establishment of Supportive School Climate Committee is in response to DOJ findings of discrimination

OROVILLE » The Oroville Union High School District has formed a Supportive School Climate Committee, which is a group of 19 community members to provide guidance on improving the district’s discipline policies, procedures and practices.

The committee will consist of students, parents, educators and community members who were appointed by the Oroville Union High School District Board of Trustees.

The committee was formed in response to the Department of Justice investigation that found the Oroville school districts discriminated against Black, Native American and disabled students.

The committee’s first meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Jan. 11, 2021. The meeting will be held over the online meeting platform Zoom and is open to the public. A link to the Zoom meeting will be available on the district website.

“Working with our district community on strengthening our district’s equity and achievement policies and practices will further strengthen the ways that OUHSD can best serve its students and help them be successful in school and life,” Superintendent Corey Willenberg said in a press release. “I look forward to this committee’s work and collaboration in achieving these goals.”

Members of the committee include Janet Goodson of Butte County’s NAACP chapter, Brenda Harris of the South Oroville African American Historical Society, Irene Jimenez of the Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians, Bobby Jones Sr. of the African American Family and Cultural

Center, Seng Yang of the Hmong Cultural Center of Butte County and teachers, students and administrators from Oroville High, Las Plumas High and Prospect High.

On Jan. 5 and Jan. 7, the board will take part in a workshop focused on creating smart and healthy cultures in a school district. The workshop will also discuss implicit bias and its impact on students.