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Public commenter questions Othello board president’s political support and warns of possible program impacts
Summary
At public comment Jake Mendez, who identified himself as an ACLU Washington member and NAACP member, criticized Othello School District Board President Lindsay Prouse for supporting former President Trump and warned that such political positions threaten education funding and programs for students with disabilities and school lunch programs.
Jake Mendez, who identified himself to the board as a junior civil‑rights activist and member of ACLU Washington and the NAACP, used the meeting’s public comment period to question the implications of Board President Lindsay Prouse’s support for former President Donald Trump.
Mendez told the board there is video on AJ Mendez Media Productions and asked, "what does it look like to have Othello school board president who supports a president who's anti education, wants to cut Department of Education, who's anti DEI, who wants to cut programs for children with disabilities and school lunches?" He said parents should consider how that support might affect programs and services "way before they even graduate. It may affect their programs. It may affect any activities. If they would have disabilities, if they were part of the spectrum of disabilities to have that program in place for them before they reach high school and after high school."
Mendez also referenced comments by former board member Jen Stevens and called for greater board diversity and inclusiveness. He criticized board members who oppose transgender participation in girls’ sports and said, "As part of the LGBTQ community, we don't need your money. Keep it. Because I'm right here. I'm part of the LGBTQ community. What you gonna do about it?" The board did not engage in a substantive response during the public comment period recorded in the transcript.
Ending: The public comment closed after Mendez’s remarks; the board moved on to other business and scheduled an executive session later in the meeting.
