Mount Vernon’s roots run deep. People in this town have stayed here for generations and it makes sense, they have everything they need. School from preschool all the way to college all on one street. And if the kids aren’t old enough for school you probably went to school with your neighbor so they can watch them. We have four churches, three banks, two gas stations and so many places to get coffee. This has resulted in some people rarely going as far as Hiawatha, and describing Cedar Rapids as dangerous.
About 83% of Iowa’s population is non-hispanic white. The next highest population are hispanics which are 7.5% of the state, and Black people only make up about 4%. Mount Vernon shows a similar range of people. As well as a small range of financial backgrounds. This can lead to outcasting, bullying and even as far as gross racism.
It seems our school is even trying to erase their diversity attempts. IJAG or Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates, which is a class that helped prepare “Every Student, No Matter What!” for a job after graduation. Due to funding and participation the school decided to stop providing it. Though we were able to raise funding for a new track and outdoor locker room, and the class was poorly advertised to students who could have benefited from it. The school also lost our only teacher of color; Charles Chatman. Someone students of color felt comfortable and familiar with.
Linn county’s population growth rate is 9.03, with the White population going down by .32 and the African-American population going up by 3.81 and mixed race population going up by 2.85 as of 2021 Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Even with this growth in diversity in our own county, our school district either is unable or unwilling to hire any teacher or staff of color in the high school. This lack of diversity implies the carelessness of our school board and principals.
I believe that if the school wants to prepare all students for college and the world, it is the administrators responsibility to manufacture experiences and perspectives. They should expand on experiences like working with Mission of Hope, which I believe is a great humanizing experience. It would also be helpful to either hire or seek advice from a professional diversity outreach educator.
