Board reviews curriculum-policy changes after state law shift; members debate federal role and local protections
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Summary
The board reviewed OSBA-recommended revisions to policy DCF, a new CEA policy to preserve the Cultural Belonging Advisory Committee, and first readings of DBEA and IF after House Bill 2453; members discussed ORS 337.260 and whether local policy should explicitly preserve equity representation and guard against federally driven curriculum changes.
At a policy review session, the Lake Oswego School District 7J board considered OSBA-recommended edits to district policy tied to House Bill 2453 and state law references.
Dr. Shealy explained that revisions to Policy DCF and a new Policy CEA respond to House Bill 2453, which removed some previous requirements for the Educational Equity Advisory Committee; the district's Cultural Belonging Committee recommended keeping advisory structures and clarified responsibilities in the new draft policy.
An OSBA representative presented first-reading provisions for DBEA (appointments and timelines) and for Policy IF (district curriculum). The IF revisions add nondiscrimination language and require curriculum decision-making to rely on "reliable data" gathered through a comprehensive needs assessment, language Dr. Shealy said the district already uses.
Chair Aird and other board members raised concerns about preserving local safeguards. One board member said the district should consider retaining explicit equity representation on the budget committee even if the state no longer requires it. Chair Aird warned against externally driven curriculum content, saying the board should ensure policies protect the district from being required to adopt material it finds inappropriate.
Dr. Shealy cited ORS 337.260 and described federal involvement as limited, saying curriculum standards and textbook approvals are implemented through the state. The board agreed to have Director Gupta (absent that night) review the proposed policy language before final action and discussed placing the items on a future consent agenda if no edits are requested.
Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda: motion to accept carried by voice vote; transcript records 'aye' responses but does not include a full roll-call tally. - OSBA representative nominations (Chrissy Ritz, Heather Ray, Jenna Beneloga): motion carried by voice vote; transcript records 'aye' responses but no complete roll-call tally.
The board did not adopt final policy language at the meeting; most items were presented for first reading and further review.