At the start of public comment on Sept. 12, multiple residents and parents raised sharply divergent concerns about district programs and school safety.

Stuart Cook sought documentation and objective performance data on the district's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Cook said the equity advisory committee "worked for a year to provide performance data for our DEI programs" and that he has "been asking for this documentation for 3 years with no response," urging the board to provide the data by the next meeting.

Curriculum and library materials prompted an emotionally charged exchange. Adina Hassan asked whether explicit sexual content is appropriate for an 11-year-old and referenced the graphic novel This One Summer being found in a sixth-grade classroom at Twin Peaks. Hassan said she had raised concerns with the principal and demanded parental consent for materials that discuss sexual acts, stating: "If the teacher and the principal agree with exposing my 11 year old to blowjobs, then I **** well deserve to know what else they want to bring into the classroom and campus." In response, Aaliyah, a parent who identified herself during public comment, defended teachers and libraries and argued against book banning, describing This One Summer as "critically acclaimed, vetted by professionals, traditionally published, and award winning." Aaliyah urged commenters to consider fuller context rather than excerpting shock-value passages.

Neighbors near Westwood Elementary raised a separate safety concern. Susan Van Winkle and Steven Kelly, homeowners in adjacent townhomes, urged the board to direct maintenance to trim or remove overgrown palm trees on school property, saying the palms pose a fire hazard. Van Winkle said PUSD maintenance had claimed a 40-year agreement placed responsibility on homeowners but that the homeowners' association had "never been provided" such an agreement and that PUSD's own attorney acknowledged that no such agreement exists. They asked staff to act to reduce wildfire risk to homes and school property.

Speakers expressed frustration about transparency in several areas: DEI documentation, curriculum review processes and volunteer paperwork. Several commenters urged more timely public notices and access to supporting documents when policy updates are proposed.

What happens next: The board acknowledged the range of public concerns and board members suggested staff provide posted materials with agenda items in the future. Several items raised in public comment — DEI data requests, curriculum review and facilities maintenance — are matters that district staff said would be referred to appropriate departments for follow-up.