Following a candid and information-packed first installment of The Newtown Bee’s “Diversity Discussions” focusing on Newtown’s Police Department and its elected citizen Police Commission, residents are invited to submit questions they might have for local education officials.

The next segment of this series of Zoom meetings focusing on diversity and inclusion across the community is scheduled for 4:30 pm on Thursday, July 9. The gathering will be webcast live on The Newtown Bee’s Facebook page, and like Part 1, will be archived for anyone wishing to view it later on The Newtown Bee’s YouTube channel.

The guest list for the July 9 webcast is still being finalized, but Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue will be on the panel along with Board of Education Chair Michelle Embree Ku and Assistant Superintendent Anne Uberti. They will be joined by First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, who will offer brief opening and closing remarks.

“It was just a few days ahead of our first [racial justice] protest in Newtown that I reached out to try and initiate these conversations about how Newtown promotes diversity and inclusion,” Rosenthal said. “But an important part of building inclusion and celebrating diversity in Newtown is achieving trust.”

The first selectman said the past and future guests of “Diversity Discussions,” along with every town employee and elected or appointed official, are “here to serve everybody and to be sure everybody feels they are an equal part of our community.”

“I was pleased with the first segment, and this is just a starting-off point,” Rosenthal said. “I think it helps remind the people that those who are elected or employed to serve the public are your neighbors for the most part. It also shows how to engage in local government. These folks are approachable and willing to talk — we need to celebrate that, as well, and include them in these very important conversations.”

Following the July 9 webcast, which will focus on the local school district, representatives of Newtown’s Land Use Agency and Planning & Zoning Commission, as well as the town’s Fair Housing agent, will be invited to discuss the ways the town is working to maintain, promote, and expand inclusive housing opportunities and how the town can expand its stock of workforce or “affordable” housing to attract more residents to Newtown.

The Newtown Bee’s award-winning associate editor and broadcaster John Voket will moderate. Any resident who has questions for the education panel can e-mail john@thebee.com by 4 pm on Wednesday, July 8.

Then, just go to The Newtown Bee’s Facebook page at 4:30 pm on July 9 to view the forum live.