Adopted: July 2020
Revised: May 2025
Download 801.4AR - Equity Advisory Council
1. Purpose – The purpose of the Equity Advisory Council (EAC) is to ensure active community participation and engagement on matters of student equity and inclusion and to provide input to the board and administration to ensure equitable and culturally responsive school district practices and systems.
2. Role
2.1 Serve as the District 196 community collaboration council as needed for purposes of the district’s achievement and integration plan.
2.2 Receive presentations related to various topics impacting student equity and inclusion in District 196.
2.3 Offer multiple perspectives and community voice on matters of student equity and inclusion, and the impact of bias on District 196 systems and practices.
2.4 Participate in community outreach opportunities designed to collect information and address the needs of underrepresented or underserved families in District 196.
2.5 Conduct reviews of programs and initiatives designed to enhance student equity and inclusion in District 196.
2.6 Make recommendations to the superintendent and superintendent’s cabinet on potential changes needed to ensure equitable practices and systems and to eliminate the predictability of student achievement based upon race, gender, special education status or eligibility for free and reduced-price meals.
3. Membership
3.1 The EAC is composed of 30 people who are stakeholders in the school district (the parent or guardian of a district student, community member, student, or district employee), reasonably representative of the diversity of the district and committed to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, including:
3.1.1 Six parents or guardians of students enrolled in the district (two each representing elementary, middle and high school)
3.1.2 Four at-large community members
3.1.3 Six high school students (Apple Valley, Eagan, Eastview and Rosemount high schools, the School of Environmental Studies and Area Learning Center)
3.1.4 Three principals (one each representing elementary, middle, and high school)
3.1.5 Six teachers (representing elementary, middle school, high school and special education)
3.1.6 One Native American Parent Advisory Committee representative or designee
3.1.7 One Cultural Family Advocate staff member
3.1.8 Two assistant administrators
3.1.9 One member representing the Dakota County United Educators executive board
3.2 The superintendent, director of elementary education, director of secondary education, director of equity and inclusion, coordinator of equity and inclusion and up to three members of the School Board serve as ex-officio members of the EAC.
3.3 Terms of office begin on July 1 and end on June 30. Terms of office last for two years and are staggered, with one-half of the positions up each year. Members can serve more than one term.
3.4 The School Board approves appointments to the EAC.
4. Meetings
4.1 The EAC holds at least four meetings each year, as determined by the council.
4.2 EAC meetings are publicized on the district website and to local media.
4.3 EAC meetings are open to the public. The EAC may, at its discretion, permit members of the public to address the council.
4.4 The Director of Equity and Inclusion ensures that minutes are taken at each meeting and maintains a copy in district records.
References:
- Minn. Rule Part 3535.0160, Integration of Racially Identifiable School not the Result of Segregation