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Winona school board adopts revised DEI committee bylaws
Summary
The Winona Area Public School District board approved updated diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) committee bylaws, including revised committee purpose language and a new quorum definition that requires three members, at least one board member and one community member.
The Winona Area Public School District Board of Directors voted to approve revised bylaws for the district's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee at its Sept. 4 meeting.
Board members approved changes that add more specific committee purpose language and alter quorum rules. A staff presenter described the change, saying the revised quorum "consists of 3 members, including at least 1 school board member and 1 community member." The board voted in favor and the motion carried.
The changes also add three lettered items to the committee purpose section to capture themes raised during committee discussion earlier in the year, according to the presenter. The presenter said the committee language had been refined after input at prior meetings and credited Director Sonneman for drafting portions of the new text.
Director George Donovan praised the revisions, saying they "much better states what I wanted to get to," and Director Hedin said she remains "troubled quite honestly by the lack of community participation" and plans to follow up with staff to seek greater public involvement. The board discussed that the revisions aim to make committee responsibilities and focal areas clearer for members and the community.
The board earlier moved and seconded the item, and after discussion the chair called for a voice vote. "All those in favor, say aye," the chair said; members responded "Aye" and the motion carried.
The board also approved routine minutes and the meeting agenda during the same session.
Board members said they expect the revised bylaws to guide committee work but flagged a continued need to broaden community participation in DEI work. No amendments to the bylaws were recorded at the meeting, and staff said the redlined changes had been shared with the board at prior meetings.
