The South Washington County Schools Board approved final reading of several district policies — including policy 102.1 (Racial Equity and Inclusion) and policy 908.1 (Indigenous Land Acknowledgement) — at its May 22 meeting at the District Service Center in Cottage Grove.

Superintendent Julie Nielsen introduced the items as the final reading and asked the board to approve multiple policies recommended by the board policy committee and reviewed at a May 8 workshop. "This evening I am here, to present the policies for a final reading and approval," Nielsen said.

Supporters said the policies are needed to protect students and to address persistent disparities; critics said the language risks politicizing schools. Board member Simi Petnayak said she "fully support[s] this and until racism doesn't exist, which it does, I believe we need a policy to protect all students, whatever color they are." Board member Louise Hines said the policy "to me is just saying, see me for who I am."

Opposition centered on the racial‑equity policy and the land‑acknowledgement language. Board member Eric Tesser said he is "opposed to 102.1 and 908.1" and argued the policy "is heavily based in critical race theory, which is adopted out of Marxism." Another board member voiced concern that an unspecified presidential executive order could affect federal funding if the district adopts the language.

The policies presented for final approval included 102.1 (Racial Equity and Inclusion), 405 (Veterans Preference), 406 (Public and Personnel Data), 408 (Subpoena of a School District Employee), 412 (Travel and Expense Reimbursement), 416 (Drug and Alcohol Testing), and 908.1 (Indigenous Land Acknowledgement). Nielsen said portions of the land‑acknowledgement language were split out of 102.1.

After brief comments from board members on both sides, a motion to approve the package was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. "Motion passes," the chair said.

The board did not detail implementation steps, timelines or specific administrative changes tied to the new language during the meeting; the policies had been reviewed earlier by the policy committee and at a May 8 workshop. The district did not state at the meeting that the policies would change staffing, curricula or contracts; those items were not specified.

The final signed policies will be posted by district administration, and any subsequent implementation actions were not described at the May 22 meeting.