Parents press Greenfield Union for in-person interpreters, indigenous-language support and expanded after‑school access

At the Greenfield Union School District board meeting on March 13, parents and community members asked the district to provide in-person interpreters in school offices, expand indigenous-language programming and ensure after-school services include language access and culturally relevant activities.

Legal counsel Colina Ayala Papon began the public-comment period with a reading of Government Code section 54954.3 to clarify when members of the public may speak. “Every agenda for a regular meeting shall — shall means must — provide an opportunity for members of the public to directly address the legislative body,” Ayala Papon read, emphasizing that public comment may occur “before or during the legislative body's consideration of that item.”

Multiple speakers said language access problems are affecting families’ ability to access…