Parents and former staff press board for stronger Title IX, hazing policies and consistent discipline

During the public-comment period several community members described incidents they say the district should treat as Title IX, hazing or sexual‑misconduct matters and urged stronger, clearer enforcement and training for administrators. "These incidents and concerns are routinely marginalized and relabeled by district administrators as vague code of conduct violations with unclear or nonexistent consequences," said Crystal Walker, who described what she called repeated administrative minimization of serious student-on-student misconduct. "When they're harmed, they deserve to be heard, protected, and treated with dignity," Walker said, and asked trustees to adopt a hazing policy, require Title IX training for principals and ensure consistent consequences.

Walker told trustees she believes district staff and HR in some cases have inappropriately minimized allegations by applying the wrong policy, and she urged the board to review local policy language and enforcement. "Using one policy to avoid enforcing another is unacceptable," she said, adding that families should be informed throughout investigatory processes as Title IX requires. Walker recommended the board require extensive training for HR and administration on Title IX responsibilities and to adopt clearer language on hazing and sexual‑misconduct definitions and consequences.

Other commenters urged both accountability and civility in public discussion but echoed concern that staff and students need clearer, consistent procedures and better communication from building administrators. Several speakers, including a parent and a former district employee, praised particular staff members while also urging the board to address systemic problems. "Principles need proper Title IX training. Our principal said that we had no right to know the next steps in our situation," Walker said, summarizing family experience and policy concerns.

Board members accepted the public comments and administrative staff said they would investigate specific allegations brought forward through the district's established complaint procedures; trustees asked staff to report back on policy language, training plans for leadership and any recommended policy additions (for example, a hazing policy) that would clarify definitions and investigative steps. The board also reminded speakers that personnel and confidential student matters must be handled through established, lawful channels and that the board cannot discuss certain details in open session because of privacy laws (including FERPA) and due-process obligations.