[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6216527,"mediaKeyId","3651058-82556e5900a22b785a612ed1813dc4c4","parentId",3651058,"title","Placer Union trustees adopt resolution backing Title IX protections for girls’ sports, direct staff to investigate compliance","audioSeconds",391,"startMs",4529000,"endMs",4920000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3651058-82556e5900a22b785a612ed1813dc4c4&start=4529&end=4920","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3651058-82556e5900a22b785a612ed1813dc4c4/thumbnail_4529000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6216527/California/Placer-Union-trustees-adopt-resolution-backing-Title-IX-protections-for-girls-sports-direct-staff-to-investigate-compliance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216527-c24fdc81f0bfd09c831b6f8017aa1efd/orig.mp4?Expires=1773567739&Signature=TFGXD-KjE97IzW6QOjG9fUy5RvGf78u3J7hlwQNdrHUlJSPLcIXRAkzjli4N2AkuNCt5AadH~rpV~wBWgyc~hLEuN~8Y2L5FzGMmll-SlAW1xFeQVPutHKAuDi4fjNQuyu7senGXQbnoJhsKNR4ewSfwvbrVe2a8O3G1NJokusjRZDdKvib-aw-oN9LrCxOa08W7p34csRxXnvYTI6aybZgfruJHyMeER3eJTvYSU5Ruy18Vza3WqpCXYrE61vTP-zb1B70mxwTE7hF8peWRUvzFVyA4h49cmZu50YIcMJcw5u9raMpr-g0rSIxSdT0DA86HQiKGIn6TM2L7IzUhzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Placer Union High","date","2025-06-04T05:58:42Z","article","Trustee Tom Duncan introduced a resolution affirming the district’s support for Title IX and calling on athletic governing bodies to “uphold its protections by ensuring fairness in girls’ interscholastic sports,” and asked staff and counsel to review the district’s compliance.

The vote came after an extended public-comment period and nearly an hour of trustee discussion. “Title 9 of the Education Amendments of 1972 was enacted to prohibit sex‑based discrimination in an education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance,” Duncan read as part of the resolution text. The board passed Resolution 18‑24‑25 by roll call, 4–1; the motion directs staff and district counsel to investigate district compliance with Title IX and equal‑protection law and to share findings with the board.

Supporters in the audience and at the podium framed the measure as necessary to protect girls’ athletic opportunities. “If schools do not amend policies that allow participation based on gender identity rather than biological sex, schools risk losing federal education funding,” said Mikaela Swaney during public comment. Several other speakers urged the board to consider the legal risks outlined in a recent Department of Justice letter interpreting CIF Bylaw 300(d) as raising equal‑protection concerns.

Opponents of restricting participation urged inclusion of transgender students and warned that excluding them would harm vulnerable students. “Trans women are women,” said Emily Mitchum in public comment, adding that cases of transgender participation at the high‑school level are “statistically a non‑issue.” Other commenters warned that policy changes aimed at exclusion would damage student wellbeing and marginalize already vulnerable groups.

Trustees debated the legal and policy tradeoffs. Several trustees said they were motivated by a Department of Justice communication criticizing CIF’s bylaw and by recent CIF decisions that attempted to accommodate both positions at championship events; others emphasized compassion and the need to protect all students. After discussion the board adopted the resolution and directed staff and counsel to investigate district compliance with Title IX, equal protection, and related CIF guidance, and to report back to the board.

The board’s action sends copies of the resolution to state and federal officials named in the motion and requests a staff report on legal and operational implications for district athletics. The board did not adopt an operational change to eligibility rules at tonight’s meeting; it instead asked staff for a legal and operational review to inform future policy.

A summary of the district’s next steps posted by the board later says staff and counsel will provide a written compliance report and recommended next steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","PUHSD Board Meeting 6.03.25","oneSentenceSummary","Trustee Tom Duncan introduced a resolution affirming the district’s support for Title IX and calling on athletic governing bodies to uphold protections for girls’ sports; the board approved Resolution 18‑24‑25, 4–1, and directed staff and counsel to investigate district compliance.","taxTitle","Placer Union High, School Districts, California","taxId",59409,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6216512,"Board puts legal‑services renewal on hold, directs staff to negotiate over proposed rate increase amid concerns about rising attorney costs",754,2590000,3344000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3651058-82556e5900a22b785a612ed1813dc4c4&start=2590&end=3344","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3651058-82556e5900a22b785a612ed1813dc4c4/thumbnail_2590000.jpg","/articles/6216512/California/Board-puts-legalservices-renewal-on-hold-directs-staff-to-negotiate-over-proposed-rate-increase-amid-concerns-about-rising-attorney-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216512-be576bccdea7eb9b3f22e5943cb0156f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773567739&Signature=HlxdGz15aKZ~2CfCB9dEbXfUC53qtTibxGeKYB~Z~7HQxI5xIQV~~alQz-5g8bQUd297kxFsG4saXBg2l4gKpT-JBBSo1mlK1~r9MVJlY8hSL3wONj5ReIAMniKCu-6GmR-msiDg0c~r67AeW5LTclSUgf9JauPwWkEQTihf4laaEiB628qQVSpV9AcXMhIYo7VJVpjrMvozMbfkOW00Bg0Sn-wBoNuMEfSaZ55g46qDLdeKZQs98kcZJR1XVRYEfGj72qPgALDx1RedP0pWfaHl7XjsnWxjZxewxRaKsQFHXwK5GLDmk95g7HH4-ZZEq-grQAXNmtlfQCOy3SiodQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees directed staff to gather additional information on outside legal spending and to negotiate with a law firm seeking a rate increase after trustees raised concerns about the district’s legal bills.

Board discussion began with questions about a line item in district warrants that listed a substantial payment for special‑education settlement related fees. Trustees asked for more detail on why the district relies on outside counsel and whether alternative models — such as hiring in‑house counsel, partnering with neighboring districts, or leaning on the county district attorney for some support — could be cheaper and still protect the district’s legal interests.

Staff and the district business officer explained that outside counsel is used frequently for special‑education and disciplinary matters, for which federal and state requirements are complex and liability risks can be high. The business officer said that recent high‑cost settlements (one case was cited as costing more than $80,000 and a cluster of matters is in the hundreds of thousands) drive heavy counsel use. The proposed renewal under discussion included a $25‑per‑hour increase for one firm.

Trustees and public speakers pushed back on approving a rate increase while legal fees remain a major district expenditure. Several trustees asked staff to provide a cost‑benefit analysis and to explore alternatives: the county district attorney’s office had offered to consult, several neighboring districts use in‑house counsel or legal alliances (including CSBA legal resources), and partnership models could reduce outside counsel hours. Staff agreed to return with comparative cost estimates and to negotiate with the firm for terms that hold rates steady while the district researches options.

The board tabled the renewal and instructed staff to return at a future meeting with the firm’s response, a clearer accounting of legal spending by category, and options including in‑house counsel, district partnerships, or alternate law firms.","Trustees questioned a proposed renewal and rate increase for outside legal counsel after staff reported substantial annual attorney‑fee spending on special education and discipline cases. The board tabled the item and asked staff to seek rate relief and investigate alternative legal arrangements.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6216517,"Trustees review draft grading policy aiming for mastery learning; lengthy public testimony leads board to table final vote",3261,10429000,13690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3651058-82556e5900a22b785a612ed1813dc4c4&start=10429&end=13690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3651058-82556e5900a22b785a612ed1813dc4c4/thumbnail_10429000.jpg","/articles/6216517/California/Trustees-review-draft-grading-policy-aiming-for-mastery-learning-lengthy-public-testimony-leads-board-to-table-final-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216517-96155c0b951544e21dd56b0d9150beb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773567739&Signature=KWm5zQvEpw0gwKOdjOlcsVJT7YKRitEN~DcIphL4SR~FUATRyjYOOJIlrrumoYSI6KPP3RagkHB5Kayo4dyMzukJc0sssJNZi9owcljVH3fFT9aJefjnxnJKprCWtQ94W8u3~WnbZZuSeAp~i3cbG3fC1cEsVSyzM~1ZRSze9a2nLTZVRo~P5RsbNoiAe5p-2NTVQV237ECUIaxTGyN3dJH~TuGhxUad9l1abyLiN7UYwoQuIg52EWnh~fNuB6R7rM7JnuA0fr8HqZ3Tqz7kzmYX4l4Ml81KL1qB2OgicVY2T~lVTV9UKwO1IZN0bNU7LmBJD~S1tzeXl3whjvIAQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees presented a revised approach to Board Policy 121 (Evaluation of Student Achievement) that would shift grading toward mastery learning built around district Essential Learning Objectives (ELOs), give students repeated opportunities to demonstrate mastery and use a 50/50 split between assessments (ELOs) and participation/other course work.

Trustee discussion emphasized that the draft was the product of an ad‑hoc grading committee formed in January; the committee included teachers, principals, parents and students and produced a set of ten priorities heard across meetings: multiple demonstration opportunities, clearer district‑wide learning targets, remediation and retake rules, better family communication, flexibility for departments, and trusting teachers as experts. Trustees described the draft as a compromise that pulls together elements of standards‑based, competency‑based and traditional point scales.

Public comment and staff testimony were extensive and mixed. Several teachers and site leaders said they support proficiency‑style grading and clear ELOs but warned against a single, district‑wide formula that removes teacher discretion. Others said the 4‑point proficiency scale (used in parts of the district during the recent CBEd rollout) works well for them and cautioned against forcing a new method on teachers unfamiliar with it. Students and parents urged clarity and warned against abrupt change that could affect college admissions and scholarships.

Key features presented in the draft included:
- Course‑level Essential Learning Objectives (ELOs) to define the must‑know skills for progression.
- A 50/50 weighting: 50 percent of a course grade drawn from ELO‑aligned assessments and 50 percent from participation/assignments and professional skills.
- A formal incomplete/retake window: students not meeting ELOs at semester end would receive an incomplete and be allowed up to six weeks to make up specified ELOs; failure to complete would result in no‑credit and the student could retake the course.
- A district expectation that ELOs for the same course be uniform across sites and developed by departments and teachers through professional learning time.

Trustees and staff discussed pilot timelines, professional development needs, the role of department PLCs and the need for an MOU with the teachers’ association for rollout. Because of the breadth of public comment, complexity of implementation and many remaining questions about uniformity, college recognition and teacher workload, trustees agreed to table the item and continue committee work; staff will return with refined language and implementation steps at a future meeting.","After months of committee work, trustees reviewed a proposed update to BP 121 to emphasize essential learning objectives, retake opportunities and a mastery approach; public commenters and teachers raised concerns about implementation and consistency, and the board tabled the item for further work.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6216521,"Board rescinds optional equity policy after months of debate; trustees cite legal concerns and federal guidance",72,9540000,9612000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3651058-82556e5900a22b785a612ed1813dc4c4&start=9540&end=9612","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3651058-82556e5900a22b785a612ed1813dc4c4/thumbnail_9540000.jpg","/articles/6216521/California/Board-rescinds-optional-equity-policy-after-months-of-debate-trustees-cite-legal-concerns-and-federal-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216521-8e751f71309012fd0dbb4058d703bea7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773567739&Signature=m7jaBQoA70SkLJcW0Bd7Ziy4l8-twysyrC4iPTVtrc3S16KghEZJYWQW3~CZpD6fiFFhtD18MWysLYvO96Mbl0bowt3UZM6KR935r~pCCk-xpHXeRsIKO2P8WoLVP0ckohD0dTgHmQjW7LVv27KP8Nwb4lA-~OFRuL0wH4O48IxtjkWt-jbeomA34YeoyFIFUGc7z0aVTBqmioLqyh1nKLIko~As6MjHrBmueMgCLHDmBbg5Cpp-irrT8N1d62LrUnLeFZqytU82vpFuIWDueYv5yzEaAUs2TCzziKEPzAMpt3G-UlLY6YQ668bzy8ywMdqH13glsejzMGLJ2Yh~LA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Placer Union High School District board voted to rescind optional Board Policy 0415 — the district’s equity policy — citing concerns that the policy’s wording could raise constitutional or statutory challenges and risk federal funding. The motion carried 4–1.

Supporters of removing the policy told the board that some language in BP 0415 — including references to race‑conscious hiring, culturally conscious professional development and prioritizing resources on identity groups — could conflict with recent federal guidance and potentially expose the district to legal challenge. “Prioritizing staffing or resource allocations by race, gender or other protected characteristics can prompt constitutional and civil‑rights issues,” a trustee said during debate.

Opponents of rescinding the policy argued that equity‑focused language supports historically underserved students and staff, and that removing the policy could reduce the district’s ability to address achievement gaps and serve vulnerable learners.

After discussion the board adopted the motion to remove BP 0415 from the district policy manual and directed staff to ensure existing statutes and required anti‑discrimination codes remain enforced through other administrative policies. Trustees said the removal is aimed at legal prudence rather than a withdrawal of support for serving disadvantaged students; staff and trustees committed to preserving programs that support low‑income students, English learners and students with disabilities.

The board also asked staff to prepare any needed revisions to other policies to preserve required protections under state and federal law. The vote concludes a period of public comment and internal review prompted in part by recent federal and state notices and a broader, district‑wide conversation about policy wording and implementation.","The Placer Union High School District board voted to remove Board Policy 0415 (Equity) after trustees said the optional policy contained language that could create legal and operational risk. The motion passed after trustee debate and public comment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Placer Union trustees adopt resolution backing Title IX protections for girls’ sports, direct staff to investigate compliance

Board puts legal‑services renewal on hold, directs staff to negotiate over proposed rate increase amid concerns about rising attorney costs

Trustees review draft grading policy aiming for mastery learning; lengthy public testimony leads board to table final vote

Board rescinds optional equity policy after months of debate; trustees cite legal concerns and federal guidance