Parents, advocates urge Galt Joint Union Elementary to keep written public comments and ensure Healthy Youth Act compliance

At the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District board meeting, two public commenters pressed trustees to reverse a planned August change that will stop accepting written public comments for posting and to ensure sexual health instruction meets California requirements.

Miss Calfman, who had provided a written statement the board shortened earlier in the meeting, asked to finish reading the remainder into the record and called the proposed change to stop posting written comments "absolutely atrocious," saying many community members cannot attend meetings in person and that mailed or emailed remarks should still be posted to the district website. She told the board that "your religious and political beliefs shall not be imposed on our educators, students, or families," and asked trustees to reconsider the policy so that emailed public comments continue to be part of the public record.

Hilda, who identified herself by first name, focused her remarks on sexual health education. Citing the California Healthy Youth Act, she urged trustees to ensure the district provides "medically accurate, age‑appropriate, and inclusive education" that teaches consent and personal boundaries. "Comprehensive sexual health education gives students those tools," she said, arguing such instruction is foundational to preventing sexual harassment, abuse and sexual violence. She asked the board to review district practices, ensure full compliance, and increase transparency about how requirements will be met.

Superintendent Yant and district staff did not provide a policy reversal during the meeting; the board president outlined the August change earlier in the agenda and said emails to the superintendent could still be sent but would not replace in‑person public comment beginning in August. Trustees did not take action on the commenters' requests at the meeting.

The board announced the rule change would align district practice with the Brown Act as interpreted locally: teleconferenced meetings will remain viewable to the public, but written public comments will no longer be posted as part of the meeting record starting in August. Trustees heard both public comments during the general public‑comment period and moved on to agenda items including assessment reports and routine approvals.