DEI committee refines student survey draft and plans student-union outreach

Advisory committee members reviewed draft student survey questions intended to measure student experiences with microaggressions, discipline, belonging and LGBTQ+ issues, and discussed how to make the instrument solution-focused and safe for respondents.

Committee members emphasized keeping questions simple and actionable. Rob, the assistant superintendent, recommended piloting the draft with a few students before wider distribution so the group can confirm students understand the questions: “have a couple of them take it, and that'll help you maybe understand, like, did they understand the question?” Committee members also suggested adding a clear definition of technical terms (for example, microaggression) so respondents interpret questions consistently.

Members agreed to seek feedback from the high school Student Union; the transcript records a plan to meet the Student Union in early February (the committee noted the Student Union meeting was expected on Feb. 6). The committee discussed timing: members said piloting and Student Union feedback in February would allow the DEI advisory committee time in March–May to refine the instrument and prepare a spring rollout or further testing.

Committee members expressed concern about follow-up and supports if the survey reveals serious incidents. Several speakers asked that the survey be framed to capture both what students can do themselves and what school staff should do to support students. The committee asked administrators to help design the final instrument and to identify how to respond to disclosures that may require timely follow-up.

No formal vote was taken on the survey at the meeting; the committee assigned next steps to the staff and to student members to pilot the draft and reconvene with Student Union feedback.