During a Yelm Community Schools (YCS) Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, Nov. 20, Dr. Lisa Cadero-Smith, YCS assistant superintendent, presented numerous changes to the district’s Policy 2020 in regards to course design, selection and adoption of instructional materials.
Cadero-Smith told the board and audience members that the district’s decisions about what they teach and how they teach it “matter deeply.”
“They shape the learning experiences of our students and reflect our district’s responsibility to ensure high quality, legally sound instruction in the classroom,” Cadero-Smith said. “In Washington state, the legislature and state education agencies determine the learning standards and many of the policies that guide public education. Local districts, however, are responsible for how those standards are implemented through decisions about curriculum, instructional materials, and teaching practices. Instruction is the core of what we do.”
Cadero-Smith said that the materials YCS uses and how those materials are selected shape how students think, engage and prepare for their futures. She added that those decisions are foundational to teaching and learning, and YCS knows that instructional content can feel personal for families.
“Tonight, we’re presenting updates to Policy 2020 and Procedure 2020P, course design, selection, adoption of instructional materials that are required by law. These updates stem from Senate Bill 5462 and House Bill 2331, that both became effective July 1 of this year, as well as the Supreme Court’s decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor, which took effect in April of this year,” Cadero-Smith said. “Together, they mandate the school district’s use material that reflect varied student experience, prohibit rejection of content based on protected class perspectives, and require timely response to religious opt out requests by families. These updates are not optional. They are legal mandates to ensure the district continues to provide instruction lawfully.”
She said those updates are rooted in new state legislation that took effect last July. Cadero-Smith noted that Senate Bill 5462 requires that districts adopt instructional materials that reflect a “broad range of student experiences,” and also prohibits excluding content “solely because it includes perspectives related to protected classes.”
“In other words, instructional materials must be selected in a way that is consistent with the law’s expectation that students see a variety of experiences and viewpoints reflected in what they learn,” Cadero-Smith said.
Additionally, Cadero-Smith said, House Bill 2331 further defines what’s required legally by school districts. She noted that the bill directs school boards to formally document how instructional materials are selected and reviewed.
“It reinforces that materials cannot be excluded simply because they include perspectives associated with protected classes,” Cadero-Smith said. “Together, with Senate Bill 5462, this legislation clarifies both the expectations for what districts must include, and the process districts must follow to ensure compliance.”
The third legal change affecting Policy 2020 stems from the U.S. Supreme Court and Mahmoud v. Taylor, which, according to Cadero-Smith, requires public school districts to accommodate parental requests to opt their children out of specific instructional content based on “sincerely held religious beliefs.”
“Districts must provide a timely written response within five school days and offer an academically appropriate alternative that does not stigmatize the student,” Cadero-Smith said. “This ruling establishes a clear legal obligation and is reflected in the updated procedure.”
Cadero-Smith also reiterated that the updates to policies and procedures are not optional, and that RCW 20A.300.0714 “makes that clear.”
“These provisions are now legal expectations for all public school districts in Washington,” Cadero-Smith said. “It will require us to take a look at our curriculum adoption procedures, and make sure we select materials that select a range of student experiences. What I will tell you is that is already a part of our process. It also requires for the instructional materials committee that we update our evaluation tools.”
Cadero-Smith said they’ll develop user-friendly, legally aligned rubrics and guidelines to support decision-making during all curriculum adoption cycles. Additionally, YCS will coordinate with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), neighboring school districts and legal advisors to “ensure accuracy and consistency” in applying state policy.
“Last, and most importantly, they will clearly inform families and staff of their rights, the complaint process, and procedures for religious opt-outs and other requests,” Cadero-Smith said. “This update is not optional. It reflects legal requirements that are now in effect for all public school districts in Washington. This policy ensures that our district is in compliance with state and federal law. It also affirms our commitment to follow a transparent structure process. Every step we’ve outlined tonight is aligned with the expectations set by the Legislature, the courts and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.”
The most common response from the YCS Board of Directors to the information presented by Cadero-Smith was that they need more time to review the changes before moving Policy 2020 forward for a second reading and a vote.
Board member Debbie Edwards specifically stated that there should be more time before a vote on Policy 2020 so that incoming school board member, Ryan Jewell — Edwards’ replacement on the board — has time to read through and understand all of the changes made.
“I’d just like to say, with me being off the board, I think the new board member needs some time to look at this and go over it. It’s his call, not mine,” Edwards said. “I do agree that we need more time.”
Board member Casey Shaw was very vocal about the implementation of the updated Policy 2020.
“This is egregious,” Shaw said. “This is egregious to me. At this point, I definitely need more time. I can’t morally feel good about pushing this through,” Shaw said.
