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Public urges broader community input as board debates revisions to Policy AD (identity, vision, mission)
Summary
Public speakers and several board members raised concerns about proposed revisions to Policy AD, which would update the district’s identity, vision, mission and philosophy language. Commentators urged broader stakeholder engagement; the board agreed to carry the item to a future work session for more discussion.
Community members and parents used the District 49 open forum on March 13 to press the board for wider public engagement after the district circulated proposed revisions to Policy AD, the district’s identity, vision, mission and philosophy statement.
Dr. Lindsey Lee, who identified herself as a D49 parent and vice president of Neighbors for Education, told the board she had “more to say” after reviewing the proposed changes and warned that "what you're really doing with the revisions ... is realigning the culture of this district." Lee urged the board to ensure students, staff, parents and taxpayers have a fair chance to provide input before any major revision.
Other speakers raised related concerns. John Graham, speaking in support of school choice, urged transparency and corrective steps related to a separate charter review that has prompted controversy. Jeff Hall called for cancellation and rewriting of a district policy he characterized as "compelled speech," saying the district should await litigation outcomes before taking further steps. Several other public commentators urged the board to end or avoid use of DEI-related materials in district programs; others raised child-protection concerns and state legislation they said the board should consider.
Board members responded in open discussion. Board President Lori Thompson and several directors said the board values the existing cultural compass; Director Schmidt proposed specific wording changes to emphasize the United States as a constitutional republic rather than a "global society." Multiple board members cautioned that changes to a widely displayed district statement should follow broader stakeholder engagement processes similar to those used when the cultural compass was originally adopted.
Rather than vote on final policy text at the meeting, the board agreed to move the proposed revisions to a future work session for more detailed discussion and community input. The president framed the next step as a non-decisional discussion item to allow time for additional stakeholder feedback and to reconcile the policy text and any administrative regulations.
The item remains in discussion stage; no final policy change was adopted at the March 13 meeting.
