Statement from Saline Area Schools
Saline Area Schools Families & Staff,
Hate, prejudice, and racism have no place in our schools or our community.
Yesterday, February 3rd, an individual in the Saline community made racist remarks at a forum directed at one of the parents in our community. This type of bigotry goes against all of the values and beliefs of our school system.
The Saline Board of Education and administration take the issue of student and adult behavior seriously. We are striving to ensure a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all students and families, regardless of their race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender identity, or any other identity.
We have heard from and are listening to students, parents, and community members throughout the District. We will continue to listen as we move forward and establish additional actions to support our students.
Over the past several years, we have established a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, worked with our local intermediate school district to train teachers and administrators on social justice practices, and taken a number of steps to support a more culturally inclusive curriculum in our school district. However, it’s very clear that there is a great deal of additional work that we need to do to educate our students, staff, and community on the painful impact that racism has on our society.
This is an opportunity for us – the staff, students, and community of Saline Area Schools – to stand for anti-racism, respect, and inclusion of all students.
Scot Graden
Superintendent
Saline Area Schools
Scot Graden's Blog 
As I take in all of the press, the town halls, and the social media commentary, I find myself with two general thoughts/comments. First, we need to significantly reduce our adjectives… We are parents, neighbors, friends, people. We do not need to preface these nouns with black, white, Asian, smart, gay, etc. We can still be unique, but we need to be considered as “We the People”. Secondly, diversification does play a role in our schools, but it needs to be with teachers, as much as the students. A large majority of Saline School’s administration and teachers are alumni of the Saline School district. Individually, they provide a great contribution to the growth of our kids, but fresh thoughts, ideas, and experiences are what supports diversity.
Bob Rash make two excellent points; the suggestion that Saline district diversify their teaching staff and administration is the one that will move the district beyond lip-service to diversity. Young people hear what you say, but they listen and watch…they learn…what you do. That said, might I suggest that whether it is in the state curriculum or not, teachers could do much to further a spirit of community by stressing that everyone in this state, with the exception of the Anishinaabe who lived here first, arrived as immigrants, and, to the point, they were not always welcome. A focused approach to social studies, one that builds individual awareness of each student’s family history and the history of European migration might instill some humility in the minds of those who feel they own this country.