Frisco ISD has many committees throughout the district including the District Improvement Team and the School Health Advisory Council. There’s also a Diversity Task Force, open to anyone, which focuses on race, religion, culture, and more aspects of diversity and equity and uses that insight into Frisco ISD’s departments.

“The diversity task force is one of several district committees that reflects on district programs, practices, data, etc., and provides recommendations,” Hunt said via email. “What makes this group unique is that it reviews through the lens through of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

This group makes recommendations for different departments of the districts to make strides into diversity, equity, and inclusion and can make a genuine change within the district. 

“The recommendations are reviewed by district leadership as well as the impacted department(s) to take into consideration when decisions are being made,” Hunt said.

The Task Force has many different focuses and looks at a variety of components within the district.

“The Diversity Task Force has several subcommittees also known as ‘working groups’ which focus on the following areas: Academics, School Climate and Culture, Talent Management, Student Services, Educator and Staff Capacity, Leadership,” Hunt said.

Over the summer, Nikki Mouton was appointed the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Specialist and contributes and listens to the Diversity Task Force concerns and corrections.

“I work closely with Charis Hunt on the identification of focus areas (based on their inquiry) for the Diversity Task Force. Having a group of internal and external stakeholders who are champions for EDI and committed to the district’s efforts is extremely valuable,” the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist, Nikki Mouton said via email. “We understand the importance of leveraging the strengths of the FISD community in the development and implementation of systemic and sustainable equity-centered initiatives.”

Many Frisco ISD committees have a requirement or you must be elected to join. However, for the Diversity Task Force, it is a lot easier for people to be a part of so as a result the group is made up of staff, parents, and community members. 

“I joined the Diversity Task Force so that I could be part of creating that space for students, like myself,” Reedy sophomore Arushi Sangal said. “I think my unique perspective as a student can help make a meaningful impact in the task force because I know what it’s like being a minority in school as a South Asian student, and I also know how to keep us engaged in a learning environment.”

The Diversity Task Force helps improve inclusivity and make changes in the district and the community as a whole.

“The diversity task force allows for a specialized place for teachers, students, parents, and community members to come together and focus solely on accommodating for the ever changing demographics of the school district,” Sangal said. “It’s so important that we have a specialized place to discuss promoting a positive dialogue and accommodating for diversity to really hone in on the things that can make school a safer and more comfortable place for everyone.”

Anyone else that is interested in participating in Diversity Task Force can submit a request through the website:  www.friscoisd.org/diversity