On Leadership: Getting the community on the path toward equity

Abstract

Soon after Xavier Botana took over as superintendent of Maine’s Portland Public Schools, he realized that, despite the district’s professed commitment, efforts to promote equity were embedded in other programs rather than being its own goal. He knew that if he were going to make his vision for equity a reality, he would need to get the community’s commitment to the effort. Joshua Starr discusses why community engagement is essential to the success of equity initiatives and describes how leaders like Botana can build a team of supporters within the school district and across the wider community.