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Board adopts policy on racial-harassment programming; removes draft opt-in form for later review
Summary
Trustees approved a standalone policy on racial-harassment training, programming and surveys tied to DOJ/Great Lakes Equity Center work but delayed consideration of a draft parental opt-in form so administrators can develop neutral materials and a communication plan.
The Hartland board voted Dec. 16 to adopt a policy establishing standards for racial-harassment training, programming and climate surveys connected to the district's work with the Department of Justice and Great Lakes Equity Center, but the board removed the draft opt-in parental form from the motion for further administrative development.
Trustee Bondiall said the opt-in form was intended to give parents control over whether their child participates in DOJ-affiliated training or climate surveys. "This policy provides parents and guardians the autonomy to decide if their student will participate," she said during discussion. Other trustees and administrators urged caution because materials have not yet been developed and because language in the draft form is not neutral and could be misinterpreted as restricting all instruction about harassment.
Administrators said the committee working with DOJ/GLEC will develop the curriculum and that the administration would present final materials to the board and make parent notification explicit. The board voted to adopt the policy language itself, but it directed administrators to produce neutral parent-facing materials and to return any consent/opt forms for board review before release.
What happens next: Administration will develop the parent communication and any consent/opt forms and bring those documents back to the board for approval. Trustees said they want clarity on whether materials will be delivered by district staff or third parties authorized by DOJ.
