Ayesha O’Malley told the Lee's Summit R-7 Board of Education she expects the board to lead “with integrity, transparency, and accountability,” and she criticized two board members for publicly contradicting commitments made at a recent board retreat regarding the district’s dignity table.

O’Malley said every member of the board agreed at a June retreat to support the dignity table and that the board had approved goals in the district’s comprehensive school improvement plan aimed at fostering inclusive, caring student environments. “Instead of standing by what they had already endorsed, they raised performative concerns and used politicized terms like DEI to stir division and delay action,” she said, naming “Mister Haley and Miss Garrett” as the members she said had opposed the effort.

O’Malley framed her remarks as centered on students’ welfare: “This isn’t about DEI. This is about dignity,” she said. She urged the board to honor commitments made in private and public, and to ensure that board actions reflect their stated priorities for student inclusion and safety.

Her comments were made during the public comment period; the board’s public comment rules (board policy BDDH) restrict comment topics, protect privacy for students and staff and limit decorum in the meeting. The board did not respond to O’Malley during the meeting; the chair reminded speakers that the board may ask clarifying questions but does not engage in back‑and‑forth during public comment.

O’Malley’s remarks were among several public comments at the meeting; the board took no formal vote or action on the dignity table during the session.