A coalition of educational and community organizations launched the Black Excellence Initiative, a three-year project to support middle and high school students throughout Linn and Benton counties.
Funded by the Oregon Department of Education’s Student Success Plan grant, the initiative creates stronger systems for academic success, cultural belonging and community connection. According to Lebanon Community School District Director of Communications Michelle Steinhebel, LCSD received about $25,000 of the funding for training in bias response protocol…