Trustees debate adding ‘equity and inclusivity’ to school climate survey policy

The board held the first reading of proposed Policy 9128.01 on a school climate survey and spent significant time debating whether to restore language about "equity and inclusivity in the school environment" to the survey-design section.

A trustee identified in the transcript as Committee member (speaker 4) asked that the phrase be reinstated in item 2 (survey design and content). "I'd like to have that reinstated," the member said, noting it had been removed in the policy-committee draft. Another trustee (Committee member, speaker 3) pressed for clarity on who removed it and why, saying the words describe student treatment and participation and asking whether their removal was appropriate.

Board President (speaker 2) said the draft was assembled from other schools' templates and that some language had been cut to simplify the policy; the president also said the policy-committee process can consider reinstating items during the month before final adoption.

Trustees debated whether the policy would force the district to hire a third-party vendor to administer the survey and discussed cost. A staff member (speaker 6) said some vendors charge about $5,000 but that there are vendors that provide similar services without a financial obligation; the policy's text currently says the board shall "first endeavor to administer [the] survey through an independent third-party vendor," which some trustees said could be interpreted as optional.

A motion was made on the floor to add the words "equity and inclusivity in the school environment" back into the design section. The board conducted a roll call on the proposed insertion; individual votes are recorded in the transcript. Because this was a first reading, board members noted the language could be revised again before final adoption.

Next steps: the policy remains at first reading and trustees may submit edits to the policy committee for consideration before the next meeting.