An energized crowd attended the Scotts Valley Unified School Board meeting Sept. 26 to show their support for a resolution recognizing October as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) history month.
The text pointed to ’60s rights activists Sylvia Rivera and Martha P. Johnson, the election of Harvey Milk as the first openly gay elected official in California and a 2003 Santa Clara County court case (Flores v. Morgan Hill Unified School District) about the enforcement of nondiscrimination policies.
“Alright, we’ve got some buzz in this room tonight,” said Board President Michael Schulman to the sound of a couple woop’s and some laughter.
It was the polar opposite of the special meeting held weeks earlier to put a parcel tax on the ballot where no one turned up, aside from a presenter and the Press Banner.
In his report to the board, Shulman said he’d been reading about disruptions at school board meetings across California over curriculum and other issues.
“It’s disturbing in some ways, and yet, it’s not surprising,” he said. “And I can tell you that based on the great conversations we had at our governance meeting a couple weeks ago, this board is not turning back. We are on a trajectory of inclusion.”
In fact, the District is updating its governance handbook to include a commitment to equity, he added.
“This has been a long time coming; it has a long way to go,” he said, raising concerns about a gathering of Moms for Liberty, a parents’ rights group, which had just occurred in Watsonville. “We are considered the more conservative area here in the north part of the county. We’re not going anywhere. If they want to come here and talk to us, they can say what they want. But, at least through the end of my term, and through the end of this next year, they’re not going to be having any influence here. They can say what they want. We understand.”
People in the gallery began clapping and cheering.
“If they want to put forward their chosen candidate, or candidates, next November, they’re welcome to do so,” Shulman continued. “I’m quite confident that the Scotts Valley district voters are really not going in that direction. I don’t want to sound too bold, but bring it on. We’ll have that debate. But, we’re not afraid.”
SVUSD Superintendent Tanya Krause said she attended, the week prior, a Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging steering subcommittee meeting focused on making sure student voices are heard and respected.
“We had a great meeting,” she said, noting the ideas were moving to the full committee. “I’m really excited with our progress.”
Student board member Toka Mohamed noted that September was Spanish Heritage Month, adding the tasty conchas given out to Brook Knoll students and staff—organized by parent Ashley Perlitch—were a welcome delight.
Julie Maxwell echoed the diversity theme in her Scotts Valley Education Association report.
“Our teachers are committed to providing a safe space for learning,” she stated. “And, as always, SVEA remains united for students. All of our students—of every background.”
This elicited clapping and a couple cheers.
During public comment, Mahina Hoey read a letter written by Vine Hill parent Christina McQueen, who’s part of a community diversity group. She also helped launch the local multicultural fair, which continues to grow in popularity.
“We are writing to express our deep support and sincere appreciation for the dedication and commitment you have shown towards promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) within our educational system,” she read. “We wholeheartedly support the DEIB initiatives being implemented within our school district, and are in favor of this month’s DEIB resolution, making October LGBTQIA history month. These initiatives ensure each child has the opportunity to learn and grow in an atmosphere that promotes acceptance and understanding—ultimately preparing them for the diverse world they will encounter beyond the classroom. Also, these ongoing efforts foster a safe and inclusive environment for all students. It is heartening to witness the strides the school district is making to ensure that every student feels valued, respected and supported, regardless of their background, abilities or identities.”
A local teacher, Hannah Walsh, broke down while sharing her comments.
“I really appreciate the board president’s strong message during his remarks, because we are absolutely not going back,” she said, adding she feels it’s important to teach the history of the gay rights movements and other sex and gender-related activism that followed. “Because we have always had these students in our classroom. And we’ve always had these families within our community.”
Transgender students who she taught, back when she was starting her career two decades ago, could have benefitted from the sort of history lessons proposed for October, she stated.
“What we can give our students today,” she said, “is we can give them their history, and we can give them their place in their history. And we can also give them a future. So that our students, our LGBT+ students, know that they can be mathematicians and philosophers and politicians and astronauts and doctors and engineers and lawyers and teachers. Because a future is what we want for all of our students.”
The room again erupted in clapping and cheers.
“I just want to say thank you Hannah, thank you very much,” said Superintendent Krause.
Shulman introduced the resolution saying, “I think this is going to be an easy one for us.”
Trustee Lucia Rocha-Nestler made the motion with Trustee Mitali Weiglein seconding. The vote was unanimous—and this time, there was even a whistle that accompanied the applause.
Later, Rocha-Nestler told the Press Banner it was great to see so much positivity, considering there’d been a rumor Moms for Liberty would hold a protest at the board meeting. They didn’t.
“It was really nice actually,” she said, commending Shulman for his speech and leadership approach. “We are moving forward.”
