Emily Freeman, a parent of a district student, used the board’s public‑comment period to urge broader instructional use of the children’s book The Rainbow Flag and to warn that removing or marginalizing such materials can harm students who do not see themselves reflected in school reading. Citing PEN America’s national compilation of challenged books and district climate‑survey results, Freeman said LGBTQIA+ and nonbinary students report lower levels of safety and belonging and urged the district to move the book from shelving into lesson plans.

Freeman quoted national figures she said came from PEN America showing the number of reported school challenges rose in recent years, and she cited local survey percentages showing lower agreement that LGBTQIA+ and nonbinary students feel respected and included. She framed curricular inclusion as one practical step to help students feel represented and to improve school climate.

At the same public forum, parent and district committee member Katie Sidari asked the board to explain a change to Putnam Heights capacity that she said undercuts trust. Sidari said voters approved $6,900,000 in a 2022 referendum that included an addition at Putnam Heights to provide 70 seats to relieve South Side overcrowding. She told the board those 70 seats were later dedicated to the Bridges program for students with high behavioral needs and said district documentation still lists the 70 seats as available, which she said misstates available capacity and complicates future enrollment and closure planning.

Sidari asked the board to present clear documentation to the public explaining why the change occurred, who authorized it, and how the Bridges program’s space needs will be met going forward. She said she had previously requested information by email and in committee but had not received a substantive public explanation.

The board did not respond during the public‑comment period (per Wisconsin open‑meeting law) but took no immediate action on either request. Chair Nordin and district staff will remain the public points of contact for follow‑up requests.

Ending: The administration and board accepted the public comments into the record; no immediate vote or directive was recorded at the meeting as a result of these comments.