July 15, 2020

Dear Menifee Union School District Students, Families and Employees,

We are completing a school year unlike any other in our history as a district – a year which saw educators teaching students remotely.  A year in which social distancing became part of our vocabulary and practice. A year which saw us gathering in virtual meetings and on-line classrooms as our primary means of communication.  A year in which we contemplated whether or not education, or our lives, would ever be the same.

And as we struggled with the COVID-19 virus, the death of George Floyd provided a stark reminder of our nation’s social complexities and injustices. Racism is a different kind of virus that we, as educators, will continue to resist.  Just as researchers relentlessly seek a vaccine to intercept the ravages of COVID, educators must join together to strengthen our district’s immune system to reject racism, intolerance and prejudice.  As a united group, the leadership team of the Menifee Union School District stands in solidarity against the inequities that plague communities across our nation.

As educators, we hold most dearly the great responsibility of providing for a better future by ensuring that the lives of the children entrusted to our care are made better through education, including an understanding of our democracy and a commitment to equality and justice.

As leaders of your school district, we pledge to work together to continue the conversations on equity, diversity, and inclusion in pursuit of a safe and inclusive culture that empowers each of our students to become the people they dream of becoming.  We support and endorse the MUSD Board of Education’s Resolution No. 2021-02 Resolution: “Condemning Racism and Affirming the District’s Commitment to an Inclusive School Environment for All” and will direct our passion and energy to fulfilling the bold charges set forth in that document.

Together, we pledge to the community that we are going to work hard to get this right.  We understand there will be challenges.  More issues are likely to surface, but we will be relentless in our efforts.  Menifee Union School District will be more than just “not racist,” we will take an active stand against racism and promote the ideals of inclusivity and acceptance.  We invite you to work with us to ensure our school community is one of equity, hope, justice, and peace.

Sincerely,                    Dr. Gary Rutherford, Interim Superintendent

                                    Dr. Kimberly Ann Huesing, Assistant Superintendent, Education Services

                                    Mr. Chad McGough, Assistant Superintendent, Personnel Services

                                    On behalf of the MUSD Management Team