Board tables ethnic studies elective after two-hour discussion; about 90 students signed up across high schools

The board debated whether to proceed this fall with an ethnic studies elective at Lincoln, Toll Bridges and Phoenix high schools and voted to table the item to the Aug. 19 meeting to allow the full board to participate. A public commenter identified as April told the board, “From the beginning, I have been against implementing or mandating an ethnic studies curriculum,” and urged discontinuation, saying she expected the course could promote divisive or activist content. In contrast, a speaker identified as Jason urged the board to move ahead, saying the district had spent two years developing the course with teachers and community members and that “Our students have spoken. They want this class.” Staff noted the state did not provide ongoing funding for the course this year; the district received an initial planning allocation of about $50,000 and staff estimated less than $2,000 in teacher prep and under $25,000 for instructional materials if the district chose to purchase a textbook (one text priced at about $125 per copy could cost roughly $25,000 for a full adoption). Staff said remaining grant funds (about $40,000) could cover materials if the board moved forward. Board discussion focused heavily on where in the high school sequence the elective should be offered (freshman year at Lincoln versus junior/senior at Toll Bridges), equity of grade-level placement across campuses, and how the course interacts with existing state-required courses such as geography and health. Enrollment figures cited during discussion showed roughly 90 students districtwide had signed up across the high schools (most at Lincoln, about a dozen at Toll Bridges, and none at Phoenix at the time of the meeting). Board members expressed contrasting views: some said they opposed offering the course at all, others said piloting it as an elective protects parent choice and student interest. By consensus the board agreed to table a final decision until the next regular meeting on Aug. 19 so the full board can vote; staff said that if the board delays action for two weeks, schedulers may need to convert or add sections but that each school has contingency plans to place students in geography or other electives if the course is removed or modified.