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Board members urge state advocacy after science‑fair access barriers; US Dept. letter and grant cancellation noted
Summary
Trustees described barriers rural students face at the state science fair and urged advocacy for broader access and funding. Separately, a trustee read a US Department of Education response about local control of curriculum and reported cancellation of a school‑based mental health grant effective 12/31/2025.
Board members used their reports to highlight two items of county and federal significance. S3 described observations from the state science fair, saying smaller county offices face barriers getting students to the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and urging the state to consider rotating the fair and ensuring funding to send more students. "Our smaller county offices don't have that opportunity," S3 said, and she urged advocacy so the state would send the full allotment of students to ISEF.
Separately, S5 read from a response sent by the U.S. Department of Education to the National Indian Education Association stating that curriculum remains a local decision and that Native history should not be classified as DEI or CRT. S5 also reported the U.S. Department of Education had canceled a school‑based mental health grant effective Dec. 31, 2025, and said districts are working to protect services. Board members agreed these items merit attention and possible advocacy at the state and federal levels.
