Board conducts first reading of AR 5145.3 amid heated public comment on parental-notification and litigation

Instructional-services staff presented a first reading of proposed revisions to administrative regulation AR 5145.3, which updates nondiscrimination and harassment language to align with California School Boards Association guidance and state law. The revisions include expanded definitions to address gender identity and nonbinary students and emphasize the district’s obligation to prohibit discrimination and harassment based on protected characteristics.

During public comment a member of the public (self-identified as the local Moms for Liberty chair) urged the board to remove the regulation from the consent agenda and criticized proposed language as contrary to parental rights. The commenter referenced pending litigation and asserted that existing and forthcoming state laws and guidance (she referenced AB 1955 and statements attributed to the Attorney General) could make the district liable or expose board members. She asked for a ‘‘neutral’’ policy more protective of parental notification. The speaker repeatedly requested transparency and copies of related legal guidance and committee reports.

Board members acknowledged the public concerns and said this is a first reading. Trustees asked staff to provide legal counsel review and additional time to consider the policy language; one trustee noted the need to balance state legal obligations to protect students from discrimination with community concerns and potential Title IX implications. Legal counsel and staff said no committee had yet been formed to specifically review the policy and that the item would return for a second reading with clarifying edits and counsel input.

No adoption vote occurred at the meeting; the board directed staff to gather the requested materials and legal guidance and bring the policy back for further consideration at a subsequent meeting.