Public commenters urge trustees to emphasize civic education and healthier school meals
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Summary
Two public speakers used the board’s public comment period to call for a stronger focus on civic foundations in the curriculum and for healthier, lower-sugar school meal options sourced locally or produced in school gardens.
Two members of the public used the board’s public comment period to raise concerns and proposals about district instruction and school nutrition.
Larry Carell told trustees he wanted to speak "to address your mission rather than your agenda," urging a return to foundational civic principles and a focus on basic skills. Carell referenced early American governance documents and told the board, "Please faithfully execute the charge given you when you were elected to this board."
Karen Olsen addressed school meal choices. Noting recent additions of vegetables, she argued processed, high-sugar breakfasts undermine students’ attention and behavior. "If you give pancakes and syrup ... the sugar goes up, ... they're hyper, they're irritable, they can't concentrate," Olsen said, and she proposed exploring local organic sourcing, school gardens or hydroponics and involving students in menu choices.
No trustee or staff response that committed the district to immediate policy changes was recorded in the transcript; both comments were entered into the public record during the meeting’s comment period.