Dear Elk Grove Unified Families, Students, and Staff,

I write to you today with a heavy heart and mind, not only to inform you of an incident that occurred at one of our schools last week but also to take responsibility for the harm that incidents such as these incur.

The incident in question was a failed intervention for students. The intervention lesson was linked to a non-affiliated EGUSD website that included an article that attempted to trace the origins of the “n-word’”. The article also contained a racially offensive graphic.

The District has launched an investigation into the origins and use of these unapproved supplemental instructional materials. As an immediate step, the staff member who used these materials has been placed on leave. The District is committed to completing a thorough investigation of this matter as expeditiously as possible, adhering to its investigative and due process policies and procedures.  

The District will continue to offer support and resources to students, families, and staff impacted by this incident. However, we recognize that more is needed. We are coordinating restorative steps through the Departments of Family and Community Engagement, Educational Equity, and Educational Services and Schools to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for the entire school. The District will provide opportunities for the community and staff to participate in restorative meetings. Follow-up communications will provide future dates and times.

The District recognizes that racism and bigotry do exist in society, including in our schools. However, we remain committed to being part of the solution to creating safe, inclusive and welcoming communities for our students, families and staff.

It is the District’s duty and mission to provide a high-quality education to all of our students, and this can only be accomplished by addressing the disparities in our students' academic and social-emotional experiences. The District has taken steps to address these disparities, but that critical work is not done. The District holds steadfast to all four of our strategic goals, including providing targeted support and interventions to students who identify as Black/African-American and looks to continue our partnerships with parents and community members to help further this work. 

As a community leader in the role of Superintendent, I take responsibility for these experiences. I, along with the Board of Trustees, am committed to educational excellence for all students, and we achieve that by continuously improving the experiences of our Black/African-American students. Throughout this process and beyond, we will continue listening to the voices of our students, including our student equity councils and Black Student Unions, as well as our parents/guardians, staff, and community members.  

Together, we can make this difference. 

Sincerely,

Christopher R. Hoffman
Superintendent

Michael Vargas
EGUSD School Board President