Students and principals highlight Black History Month and equity groups at David Douglas board meeting
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Summary
Students from Gilbert Park Elementary and Ron Russell Middle School described Black Student Union and equity-group activities; the board read a proclamation designating February 2026 as Black History Month and recognized Lunar New Year and other community events.
Two school presentations and a district proclamation occupied a major portion of the meeting, centering student voice and cultural events.
Lawn Winn, principal at Gilbert Park Elementary, introduced two fourth-grade students who described the school’s Black Student Union as a place that "helps me feel proud of who I am" and a space "to learn about black leaders, inventors, artists, and heroes who changed the world." The principal said the school treats Black History Month as a year-round focus and highlighted projects tied to artists such as Sam Gilliam.
Students from Ron Russell Middle School’s equity group presented on Lunar New Year observances and community resources; presenters noted that about 16% of Ron Russell students identify as Asian and that the district-wide figure is about 15%.
The board then read and adopted a proclamation naming February 1 through February 28, 2026, as Black History Month in the David Douglas School District, citing historical context and district commitments to equity. The proclamation included statistics (13.4% of enrolled students identified as Black American) and affirmed the district’s strategic plan and equity policy commitments.
What’s next: the board encouraged continuing affinity groups and community partnerships and noted related outreach and family engagement sessions as part of the strategic plan phase two.