Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Sequoia Union board approves Tongan heritage course after public push
Loading...
Summary
The board voted 5–0 to approve a Tongan heritage speaker course that satisfies a–g world language requirements after public testimony from community members and staff who developed the proposal.
The Sequoia Union High School District board unanimously approved a proposal to add a Tongan heritage speaker course to the district course offerings for the 2026–27 school year.
Public comment in favor of the item came from students, alumni and community members who said the course would promote belonging and provide a pathway for Pacific Islander students to fulfill a‑g language requirements. Donna Victoria, a Menlo Atherton alumna and East Palo Alto resident, told the board the course was personal to her and credited the teachers who built the proposal. “This course prioritizes the experiences of young Tongan kids who come out of East Palo Alto and the wider San Mateo County,” she said.
Board members thanked the proposal team and noted community feedback about ensuring supports for heritage‑speaker students. A motion to approve item 13.5 was made, seconded and passed by roll call; the minutes record the motion as carrying 5–0.
Board materials indicate the course was developed with named teachers and staff members and will fulfill world‑language (a–g) requirements; trustees and speakers emphasized partnering with community organizations for cultural accuracy and student supports. The board did not specify detailed staffing or scheduling at the meeting; those operational details will be handled by the district curriculum office as the course is implemented.
