Superintendent Carpenter introduced a draft plan to form a district equity committee to comply with Oregon Senate Bill 732, and described the committee’s proposed roles and membership at the Estacada School District board meeting on Jan. 8.

Carpenter said the committee will be a subcommittee that reports to the board and is intended to advise on equity impacts of policies, review administrative practices, promote inclusive practices, reflect community diversity and monitor progress. He said the law requires community representation and noted the plan calls for seven community members appointed by the board, with one member to be a budget committee representative.

Carpenter told the board the district intends to prioritize membership that reflects historically underserved groups in the district: the Hispanic community (about 13% of the district), families of students in special education (about 16%), and families of students who qualify as economically disadvantaged (about 51%), among others. He said the law’s effective date requires the district to implement the committee beginning July 1, 2025, and that outreach will include translation and access supports to enable participation by non‑English speakers and people with mobility needs.

Board members asked how the committee’s recommendations will be handled; Carpenter reiterated that the committee will advise the board and that the elected board retains final decision authority unless a recommendation conflicts with law. The board discussed term length and turnover; the draft materials included a four‑year term language from the law, though staff said they are discussing whether two‑year terms might be more practical for some community members.

Carpenter said district staff (including Erin Garden Hyer, Jason Hobson and Jen Berman) will lead recruitment and that board members will appoint the final selections in late spring. The committee will be scheduled to report to the board monthly, Carpenter said, with one committee member selected to present the committee’s work to the board each month.

No formal vote was required at the Jan. 8 meeting; the board received the information and staff will return with implementation materials and an application process.