Consultant outlines equity audit findings; board asked to support data systems and action plans

At a public meeting, the board heard a detailed review of an equity audit that district leaders say will guide multi‑year action plans across Seaside schools.

Katie Swallwell, an equity consultant introduced by Director of Student Services Jenny Risner, described the audit’s methods—disaggregated quantitative data, classroom observations and about two dozen focus groups—and framed inequity as “distribution of material and non‑material access and opportunity” that leads to predictable outcome disparities across social identities. Swallwell used middle‑school “donut” visuals to show that Latino students made up roughly 34% of the school population but represented about 15% of students categorized as “excelling” in the audit sample.

The audit flagged several district‑wide patterns: lower participation and achievement for English‑language learners, underrepresentation of staff of color (particularly bilingual staff), and areas of deficit thinking among some staff. Swallwell and Jenny Risner said building leadership teams have drafted action plans and that the district will continue a professional‑development cycle to build internal capacity so the work is sustained without continuous outside contractors.

Board members asked how frequently audits should be repeated and how priorities will be set. Swallwell recommended a full audit every three to five years with more frequent monitoring and data pull‑outs for interim checks. She emphasized that the audit cannot determine cause; it flags where further investigation should occur and supports research‑based recommendations to reduce disparities.

District leaders said the equity audit work was grant‑funded through the ESD and another memorial grant for continued implementation, and they urged board engagement and review as action plans request resources and changes in priorities.