Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comments Native American topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Native American Parent Committee urges district to mark Indigenous Peoples Day, require consent for sensitive activities and add regular agenda item
Summary
Three members of the Native American Parent Committee told the board during public comment that the district should hold staff training on Indigenous Peoples Day, require permission slips for sensitive classroom activities and add a regular agenda item to streamline communication.
During the Aug. 20 open-call-to-the-public portion of the Tempe School District Governing Board meeting, three members of the Native American Parent Committee asked the board to take three actions related to cultural awareness, parental notice and district communication.
Winona Miller, introduced as a parent and member of the Native American Parent Committee, requested a professional development day for staff on Oct. 13 (Indigenous Peoples Day) focused on indigenous cultural awareness. "This would be focused on indigenous cultural awareness," Miller said, and she offered the committee's willingness to partner with district leadership to find a virtual, broadly accessible course.
Talisha Martinez, identified as a parent and committee member, requested two changes. First, she asked the district to require permission slips for all activities that involve "significant or sensitive content," citing the upcoming eclipse and classroom dissections as examples. Second, Martinez asked the district to recognize the day of the eclipse as an excused absence for indigenous students.
Lisa Sosu, a parent and two-year member of the Native American Parent Committee, asked the district to "streamline the communication" with the committee by making the group a regular agenda item so it can provide a consistent channel between the Native American community and district leadership.
Board response and next steps: Board staff recited the public-participation rules (Policy BEDH) before public comment; the transcript does not record any immediate board action in response to these requests. The items were presented as public comment and, per policy noted by staff, the board does not discuss or take action on items raised under open call to the public during the same meeting. Committee members said they were ready to partner with district staff to plan professional development and improved communications.
