CAMANO: School Board director advocates for removal of diversity language, receives pushback (SCN)

Isabella Loy reports from the Stanwood-Camano School District board meeting of Tue., Mar. 19, 2024 for the Stanwood Camano News.

The Stanwood-Camano School District Board of Directors held a study session Tuesday evening to discuss positions put forth by the Washington State School Directors’ Association, which ultimately turned into an emotional discussion about diversity and equity, as well as the state’s role in local education.

WSSDA’s goal is to provide school board members research-based leadership development opportunities, policy and legal resources and legislative advocacy support, according to the state agency’s website.

Director Betsy Foster brought an item to the board that suggested amendments to several WSSDA positions.

They Said It

Foster advocated for keeping local control, and told her fellow board members that school boards are being pushed into extinction by the state Legislature.

While Foster said she drafted the amendments with a group of other school board members throughout the state, it is unclear who participated.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Foster pushed the idea that WSSDA is taking away control from the Stanwood-Camano School Board.

“I have a resolution that helps, in my mind, to protect local school board authority and not let the state take over making decisions for us,” she said.

In Foster’s resolution, certain language is cut from WSSDA’s positions — including striking areas highlighting diversity and equity.

Superintendent Deborah Rumbaugh said that cutting language in WSSDA’s position feels like moving backwards.

“When I see that language removed, for me, that’s not a conversation about local control,” Rumbaugh said. “That is a removal of language to ensure that you fairly represent, support and engage everyone in our system, regardless of and including race, identity, etc.

“I have personal concerns around the removal of that language,” she added.

Director Steve King said he thinks that while working to achieve equity, other groups end up discriminated against.

King said that homeless students, or those who have a parent struggling with addiction, have “very, very limited potential” — and said the majority of the school district’s resources should not be spent on trying to bring those kids up to par with their peers.

“I’m kind of old, but I do know the Constitution and that we are all created equal, regardless of your color,” Foster said. “So there shouldn’t be any question or discussion about something that has been working for 250 years.”

At the end of the meeting, the school board did a test vote to see where members stand on the suggested proposal.

Foster voted yes, Directors Charlotte Murry and Miranda Evans voted no, and Directors Al Schreiber and King abstained from the vote.

On Wednesday, the Stanwood-Camano School District provided the following statement: 

“We remain committed to our District Promise, ‘Every student is empowered to learn in an inclusive setting and is prepared for the future of their choice.’ We commend those who spoke in support of continuing the district’s commitment to ensure each student is supported.”