Board approves Vanguard School contract renewal after removing diversity/equity clause

Board members and Vanguard School leaders discussed and approved a revised charter contract for the Vanguard School at the June 4 Harrison School District No. 2 meeting.

Jim Smith, Vanguard’s executive director, presented the school’s report before the contract discussion, noting enrollment, programmatic highlights and academic performance. District legal counsel and board members debated section 2.5, which requires diversity and equity training. Counsel said federal-level executive orders had raised questions about including such language in government contracts. Some board members argued the language protects equity work; others said removing the clause would avoid legal risk and that the district and Vanguard already collaborate on training.

The board asked administration to prepare a revised contract with section 2.5 removed; the board then voted to approve the contract as amended and forwarded it to Vanguard for signature. Administration said Vanguard may request additional edits later, which would require board review in a future open meeting.

The board also approved related fiscal resolutions and the 2026–27 budget during the same agenda sequence.

Direct quotes from the meeting included a district attorney-style advisory: "I will get a revised draft to you striking section 2.5 altogether," and a board member's note that the district could bring the language back if concerns later emerged. The transcript records votes by voice but does not list individual tallies in the public minutes.