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Parents and community members urge stronger mental-health supports and deeper engagement on Beaumont Unified bond
Summary
Two public commentators urged the board to revisit the district’s recently adopted mental-health policy for clearer referral protocols, training frequency and community consultation, and asked trustees to take community feedback seriously while planning bond-funded projects.
Two speakers used the public-comment period at the March 24 Beaumont Unified Board meeting to press for stronger mental-health supports for students and deeper community engagement around the district bond.
Edgar Grama (self‑identified as a parent, district employee and city council member) said he came as a parent and community member and asked the board to keep student safety and well-being “the highest priority for all students.” He also noted his child with Down syndrome and reaffirmed his commitment to stay engaged at meetings.
Parent and community advocate Sonia Colchado compared the district's newly adopted board policy on student mental health to a state model policy (SB 153 and Education Code sections cited during her remarks). She told trustees she could not find evidence in minutes that families and stakeholders had been invited to provide feedback during policy development and said the policy lacks a clear needs assessment, training frequency and stakeholder consultation. “I think this is something that needs to be revisited,” she said, and warned the board that community pleas for licensed wellness centers and crisis‑response resources “are falling on deaf ears” unless the district acts on them.
Why it matters: The speakers tied two topics together — formal board policy on behavioral-health referrals and practical bond decisions about facilities — arguing that community input and on‑site licensed mental‑health resources should be explicit priorities if bond proceeds are to fund support services as well as construction.
Board response and next steps: Trustees acknowledged the comments; several board members later described listening‑tour and town‑hall activity and said more community engagement is needed before decisions are finalized. The board did not adopt any new mental‑health policy language at this meeting; speakers asked staff to consider revisiting the policy’s consultation and training language and to provide clearer timelines if the code requires specific training or crisis protocols.
Provenance: Edgar Grama (public comment opening) SEG 042–049; Sonia Colchado’s policy remarks and bond feedback SEG 072–076, SEG 121–125, SEG 149–156, SEG 163–170.
Next steps: Trustees and staff indicated the items would return for further consideration; community members seeking policy changes should watch for the board’s second reading of affected BP/ARs.
