The case over access to Oswego Lake has been ongoing since 2012. (Staff photo: Jonathan House)

I was encouraged to read the Lake Oswego School Board candidate responses to questions from Respond to Racism regarding diversity, equity and inclusion in our schools. All candidates expressed support for a range of efforts aimed at preparing students for an increasingly interconnected world and ensuring more equitable educational outcomes for all students regardless of income or race.

However, my skepticism with these types of discussions is that it’s much easier for elected leadership to talk in generalities about equity and inclusion than take the concrete steps needed to remove barriers built over hundreds of years that preserve the status quo.

One example of this is the Lake Oswego School District’s position on public access to Oswego Lake. While serving on the Lake Oswego Planning Commission, I received letters from the school board and Superintendent warning of the dire consequences of allowing the public to swim and kayak in the lake. They reasoned that the safety of Lake Oswego children would be sacrificed from “uncontrolled” conditions, property values would drop, funding for the district would be reduced and our children’s education would suffer. These hyperbolic claims tying lake access to the negative well-being of our children were intended to preserve an inequitable system whereby people with wealth and power could continue to monopolize a public lake for their exclusive use. There was no legal or moral basis for the lake access system that was created, just as there would be no basis for people that donate money to Friends of Tryon Creek to dictate access to the park, or people that donate money to the Lake Oswego Schools Foundation to dictate access to school resources.

Our district’s position against public access to the lake established over a decade ago is still in effect. Given the increased focus of the district on diversity, equity, and inclusion since that time, it’s important that our current and prospective school board members revisit the issue and let us know where they stand. To date, the only one I’m aware of willing to declare her position is candidate Kate Lupton.

Whether as a past City Council candidate or current school board candidate, she doesn’t shy away from her belief that public access to Oswego Lake is the right example to set for our children and the right way forward for a community in pursuit of equity and inclusion.

Kate is unafraid to walk the talk about diversity, equity and inclusion, take real world action to make change and be a leader in standing up for what’s right even when it’s hard. Since expressing her opinion about Oswego Lake, life has not been easy for Kate. Many in the community have tried to intimidate, vilify and silence her. I understand what she’s going through based on the death threats and other pressure I myself have faced.

My hope is that other current and prospective school board members take Kate’s lead and share their opinions on the District’s current lake access position so the community knows where they stand. Transparent leadership on tough policy issues that intersect with diversity, equity and inclusion goals is important, especially from the people entrusted with guiding the next generation of Lake Oswegans.