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Students told South Saint Paul board they feel afraid; board recounts April 13 listening session and vows continued dialogue
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Summary
Board members recapped a facilitated April 13 conversation with students from CDLU and BPO affinity groups in which students said they felt unsafe and ignored; the board said it consulted legal counsel, is committed to continued dialogue and will work on follow‑up and staff training.
Board Chair summarized a facilitated student listening session the district held on April 13 in response to student concerns. The format — described by the chair as a pizza dinner followed by several rounds of a structured circle conversation — allowed students and adults to speak and to listen.
"They told the board they were afraid and that they needed reassurance and support," the chair said, recapping students’ comments. Students also "spoke about feeling ignored and belittled by adults in their lives," and asked for strengthened connections, accountability and staff training to improve cultural awareness, the chair said.
The board said it considered whether to issue a public statement or a formal resolution but chose instead to consult legal counsel and to continue the dialogue in a setting that would allow student voices to be heard. The chair described the process as "slow and intentional" and said that while board words could unintentionally cause legal complications, the board is committed to listening and to creating systems that show follow through.
The session produced themes board members said they will carry forward: listening to student voice, relationship building and staff training. The chair thanked students and staff for participating and said administrative teams are using the conversation to consider concrete adjustments to make schools more welcoming.
Next steps described in the meeting included continued meetings with students and follow‑up discussions between leadership and community members; the transcript shows the board planning further engagement rather than immediate board action.
