Parents and board members urge Beaumont Unified to create a dedicated equity team after county conference

Several parents and board members at the Beaumont Unified School District board meeting on Sept. 24 urged the district to create a dedicated equity team to ensure consistent attention to student needs.

At the public-comment period, a parent who identified herself as Navia thanked the district for sending parents to the Riverside County Office of Education equity conference and said the discussions made clear there is still work to do. "I believe a department focused on equity can also underscore the district's organizational goal of 'we believe all people have value and worth,'" she said, urging the board to consider a standalone unit rather than spreading equity duties across existing departments.

Sonia Cado, a local parent and co-chair of the Family & Community Engagement Committee, echoed Navia's call. She highlighted conference sessions on hate-free school spaces and restorative practices and suggested the district consider a Family Resource Center to address family needs — such as transportation, food and housing — that affect students' ability to learn.

Trustees acknowledged the comments and described different paths forward. Trustee David Sanchez said he would not object to the concept but preferred repurposing an established committee rather than creating a separate layer of work. Other trustees thanked staff for including the board in conference participation and noted Beaumont Unified employees led several sessions at the event.

Board members emphasized they support the idea in principle but want more detail on structure, staffing and whether an equity team should be a new department or transition from an existing committee. "If we have a committee that's already established that could transition into such an entity, I would definitely be for it," Sanchez said.

The superintendent and trustees said staff would follow up with options and acknowledge budget and operational constraints. The board did not take a formal vote on creating a department during the meeting; trustees directed staff to report back with recommendations.

The student-member report and superintendent update earlier in the meeting also referenced the county equity conference and noted district staff led sessions at the event, underscoring Beaumont Unified's continued engagement with countywide equity work.

The board requested additional information and indicated next steps likely will include a staff proposal outlining possible structures, resourcing and measurable outcomes.