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Sequoia Union trustees approve instructional-materials sufficiency despite public concern over ethnic-studies adoption
Summary
The Sequoia Union High School District board voted 3–1 to certify sufficiency of instructional materials for 2025–26, including ethnic studies; a public commenter and one trustee said the ethnic-studies curriculum and required public-adoption steps were not yet complete.
The Sequoia Union High School District Board of Trustees narrowly approved Resolution No. 002205-26 on Sept. 10 certifying sufficiency of instructional materials for the 2025–26 school year, despite public concerns that the district has not formally adopted complete ethnic-studies materials. The motion passed with Trustees Thompson and Gen and Vice President Amy Coup voting yes; President Sik Nori cast the sole no vote. One trustee was absent.
During a public hearing, Linda McGiver urged the board not to certify sufficiency by Oct. 7, arguing that Education Code 60119 requires instructional materials to be consistent with state-adopted curriculum frameworks and that the district’s ethnic-studies units beyond unit one remain in development and not formally adopted. "Drafts and reviews are not adopted instructional materials and therefore cannot be certified to be sufficient," she said.
Superintendent Leech told the board the Williams Act and the purpose of the resolution is to ensure students have access to materials when courses begin; staff emphasized ethnic studies does not start until second quarter and said materials will be made available when the class begins. Trustees discussed timelines for adoption and public review; one trustee said they were personally uncomfortable but would support the board’s motion.
The board’s certification triggers administrative obligations to ensure materials are accessible when classes start; staff did not provide a firm date for final public adoption during the meeting. The board did not rescind the certification after McGiver’s comments.
Next steps mentioned at the meeting: staff will finalize remaining units and provide materials to students when the ethnic-studies course begins in second quarter. The board did not schedule a specific follow-up vote on adoption during the meeting.
Sources: Public hearing remarks by Linda McGiver and board discussion at the Sept. 10 Sequoia Union High School District board meeting.
