Evans School presents draft equity assessment of Issaquah boards; recommends targeted recruitment, standard training and better reporting

Evans School researchers presented preliminary findings and recommendations to the Issaquah Equity Board on May 7, asking for feedback before a final report and implementation planning.

The consultants told board members the study compared applicant and member demographics to 2024 census data and neighborhood distributions, and supplemented that analysis with interviews of board members, staff liaisons and representatives from nine other jurisdictions. "Boards and commissions are a critical way that local governments engage their citizens," a presenter said, and "to ensure all members of a community are heard equally ... it's necessary to ensure boards and commissions are representative of that community and operate with equity in mind." (Evans School presenter)

The assessment identified…