Trustee asks district to update student race/ethnicity categories in data system to reflect Arab/MENA identification

Trustee [first name withheld in transcript] Ajani raised a request for district staff to clarify and, where feasible, update the student race and ethnicity categories the district stores in its student information system, which trustees discussed as “MyStar.” Ajani asked administration to report back with the exact categories currently in use and to pursue software changes that would let families specify a Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) or Arab American option, provide country-of-origin details and allow multi-selection of categories.

Why it matters: Accurate demographic categories inform district planning, federal and state reporting and programs that serve students. Ajani said the district’s population includes a significant share of Arab American families and that current categories may undercount or obscure that group if the system forces single-choice selections.

Ajani asked staff to determine whether MyStar (the district’s student-information system) can be configured to add MENA/Arab-identification fields or to add “specify” boxes for countries of origin, and to permit multiple selections so families with mixed backgrounds can be counted accurately. Ajani requested a clear answer on the current categories and a plan for any changes; he suggested that, after collecting updated classifications for about a year, the district would be better positioned to report accurate counts by subgroup.

The trustee said more precise categories would help the district and the community better understand how many students identify as Arab American and other groups and would support program planning. No formal vote was taken; Ajani asked staff to follow up with details on current fields, feasibility and implementation steps.