Students present district discrimination‑complaint protocol developed with DEI and external partners
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Summary
High school student leaders presented a draft discrimination complaint procedure they developed with district DEI staff and state guidance, outlining reporting options, investigation steps, remedies and restorative practices.
Student leaders from David Douglas High School presented a draft discrimination complaint procedure to the school board Thursday that they developed with district diversity, equity and inclusion staff and external guidance from the Oregon Department of Education’s civil‑rights office.
Student body president Melissa Cate introduced the presentation and emphasized the need for a clear, accessible process so students who experience racist or discriminatory harm understand how to report and what support they will receive. Student presenters—Maya Espinosa (10th grade), Kelsey Guiltmog (junior), Liederson (Liederson) Kariuki (sophomore) and others—walked the board through the proposed steps: identification and multiple reporting channels (including anonymous reporting), an initial urgency assessment by DEI and human resources, a prompt investigation with interviews of complainant, staff and witnesses, a findings phase and an action plan.
The student‑crafted protocol recommends a baseline set of responses, including culturally responsive counseling supports, the option to change classes or activities for affected students, timelines for investigation, and a communication plan that balances confidentiality with school‑wide transparency to help healing. The students also proposed restorative practices and systemic follow‑up, including periodic review of the procedure and soliciting community feedback.
Board members praised the students’ work. Superintendent Richardson thanked the presenters and noted administrative next steps: training administrators, ensuring investigators are prepared and bringing the administrative implementation plan forward for board review. “The more student presentations we have in this room, the better,” a board member said during the discussion.
The presentation did not result in a formal board vote; students and staff said the next steps include building training for school leaders and adding the procedure to the appropriate administrative policy implementation steps.
