Newly formed Culture, Equity and Belonging committee recommends measurable actions, resolution for schools

Susan (committee facilitator) and board members reported results from San Rafael City Schools’ first Culture, Equity and Belonging committee on June 9 and brought three board-level recommendations: set clear measurable actions, adopt a resolution expecting school-level progress, and gather student voice data to inform guidelines and best practices.

Committee members described a regular meeting format of norms, personal reflection, and a focus on the “personal and the local,” with facilitation by Al Gonzalez. The group said it included parents, teachers, students in grades 6–11, administrators and union representatives across roughly 10 meetings this inaugural year and emphasized accessibility by offering interpretation, in-person meetings and childcare when needed.

The committee’s three recommendations to the board were described as follows: 1) establish clear guidance with defined and measurable action items for district pride in equity and belonging, 2) adopt a resolution requiring each school to demonstrate progress toward increased equity and belonging with a focus on community communication and engagement, and 3) gather and study existing data and current practices that lift student voice and implement guidelines to elicit student perspectives.

Trustees discussed the committee’s potential role in informing the LCAP and the district strategic plan refresh; one trustee emphasized the need for clarity about how committee participation translates into concrete changes at individual schools and asked that next year the committee define decision-making “teeth” and implementation steps. The committee members and trustees said they will continue the work next year and integrate outcomes into the LCAP and strategic planning processes.