Selah School Board adopts 'John McCoy' Since Time Immemorial curriculum after extended public comment

The Selah School Board voted to adopt the John McCoy "Since Time Immemorial" curriculum at its June meeting after presentations from district staff and a Yakima Nation representative and roughly an hour of public comment both for and against the proposal.

The board's decision followed a presentation from Alicia Jacobs, the district’s Executive Director of Student Learning, who described the multi-month process of educator convenings, review by the Instructional Materials Committee and public viewings, and said the adoption adds Native perspectives to existing social-studies instruction rather than replacing the district’s full social-studies program. "It is implementing - it's looking at what we're currently teaching and providing a Native perspective to that," Jacobs said, summarizing the committee's work and the committee's recommendation to the board.

Superintendent Kevin McKay acknowledged he had previously given an incomplete legal answer at the May meeting and summarized a written legal review from the district’s counsel, Porter, Foster & Rorick. McKay said the review concluded that "when the board reviews or adopts its social studies curriculum, it shall incorporate the STI curriculum," and recommended immediate adoption to ensure compliance.

Public comment that followed was sharply divided. Supporters such as former teacher Lori Berryman praised the vetting process and argued the curriculum helps students analyze history from multiple perspectives: "I applaud your thoughtful adoption process and fully support your recommendations," Berryman said. Opponents raised concerns about specific materials, transparency and whether the law requires adoption. Russ Carlson read a letter asserting "STI is not required under state law" except in instances when a district is formally reviewing or adopting its social-studies curriculum, and urged clearer documentation of Yakima Nation approval.

Elise Washings, education manager for the Yakima Nation and an original writer of STI units, told the board the Yakima Nation has supported the curriculum through tribal resolutions (T32-18, GCM 09-2018) and said tribal convenings and regional work informed the materials. "Yakima Nation has been involved in the review of it and happy to continue with that review," Washings said.

Board members debated the legal and community dimensions before the motion to adopt was made. The board president moved to adopt the "John McCoy Since Time Immemorial proposal," and the motion was seconded. During roll call, Board member Iverson voted no; Board members Morford, Peters, Michael and Catron voted yes. The motion passed and the board adopted the curriculum as presented.

Board members and staff cited the committee’s work, consultation with Yakima Nation representatives and the district attorney's written guidance when explaining their votes. The record shows the district held multiple public viewings, posted materials online and replaced one controversial teacher resource with a substituted, locally relevant ethno-autobiography suggested by the Yakima Nation.

The board took no additional immediate policy changes at the meeting related to opt-outs or classroom-level instruction; several public commenters asked how parents would be notified and how age-appropriateness would be handled for lower grades. The district said additional details about implementation and questions about specific classroom practices can be addressed by staff following board direction.

The board's adoption is the most recent procedural step; the district will begin integrating the approved materials into instruction in ways district staff described as supplemental and localized. The meeting proceeded afterward to routine consent and administrative business.

The meeting record contains multiple written comments and transcripts of public remarks that the board said were distributed to members; the district also made copies of the district attorney's legal review available to the public at the meeting.