Framingham Public Schools Creating Gender Equity Group To Focus on Athletics

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FRAMINGHAM – The Framingham Public Schools is in the process of forming a Gender Equity Working Group to look specifically at gender equality issues in athletics.

“This very important group will be responsible for examining the TNG Audit Review with the goal of making concrete suggestions for further compliance, offering suggestions on the Framingham High School Booster Policy for its effectiveness and impact on athletic programs, looking into the creation of new sports to achieve substantial gender proportionality and examining means of procuring additional funds for fields, facilities and equipment,” said Saundra Edwards, Manager, Diversity, Inclusion & Compliance for the Framingham Public Schools.

The District is looking for a diverse representation of volunteers from the Framingham community; coaches, female and male student athletes, former athletes, weekend athletes, families of athletes, fans of athletes and non-athletes alike.

“We want a group that is representative of all genders, races, nationalities, abilities, socio-economic status, etc,” said the public school district.

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Framingham Superintendent of Schools Bob Tremblay said he reached out to Robert Baldwin, the Executive Director, Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) and Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association (MSAA) to be a part of the group, as no other district in Massachusetts is doing this type of work.

Framingham High Athletic Director Paul Spear echoed that sentiment saying that this work is ground breaking. “No one else is doing this,” said Spear, who said he has spoken to athletic directors across the Commonwealth.

Anyone interested in affirming gender equity in sports is welcome to apply.

The school district anticipates starting this working group in January, 2022.

At this time, meetings will be held quarterly during the school year.

More than a dozen individuals have already expressed an interest in the group.

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Several School Committee members expressed an interest that all those who apply be allowed to participate. Basically, a “no cut” group, but that decision has not been finalized.

School Committee members Adam Freudberg and Geoffrey Epstein suggested the group meet more often than quarterly. Freudberg was hoping the group could weigh in on budgetary issues before March 2022.

If interested, please contact Spear at Pspear@framingham.k12.ma.us

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