District pauses DEI hire but keeps equity programs active, administrator says

Erin, the district administrator, presented the annual equity update and confirmed the district paused hiring to refill the diversity/equity/inclusion/belonging coordinator role after Britney Bridal resigned. "Her expertise is missed," Erin said, and described how responsibilities were redistributed while programs continue.

Why it matters: The board has previously adopted an educational equity resolution; Erin said the district is embedding equity work into curricula, staff professional development and student leadership programs rather than treating it as a separate initiative.

Key details: Erin said the district’s mentoring circles, a high‑school equity coalition and student leadership work are ongoing. She reported the district extended a five‑year grant through the end of the school year and expects to have spent $1,000,000 on the program over five years; Erin also credited staff who have covered responsibilities in the interim.

Board response: Trustees praised staff efforts to continue the work and recognized the difficulty of pausing a position that had personal and programmatic significance. No board action was taken; Erin said she would continue the district’s family engagement work and provide a grant report to the board at a later date.