Board highlights extracurricular involvement, student leadership and supports for students experiencing homelessness

Board members said extracurricular connections and student leadership are central to student engagement and safety, and discussed specific supports for students experiencing homelessness or acute poverty.

The board reiterated a long-standing goal: every student should have a connection to an activity or staff member. Members asked staff to revamp student leadership roles so that elected student officers have defined responsibilities that include serving as liaisons to the board and participating in community projects.

Members also described practical, dignity-preserving supports the district has implemented at Pioneer and the high school—washer-and-dryer access, clothing closets and services that helped students obtain senior photos and attend graduation publicity. Board members said such supports reduce barriers to participation and can affect attendance and performance.

Student safety and bullying were raised repeatedly. Board members noted that many bullying incidents occur on buses and that social-media flare-ups amplify disputes. The board asked staff to continue systematizing bullying response protocols and coach administrators on how to communicate with families about incidents while preserving student privacy.

Staff will fold plans for strengthened student leadership, celebration of extracurricular participation and specific supports for students in poverty into the strategic-plan draft.