Overview:
Specifically, concerns over support for LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities and students wearing regalia related to their religion or culture were at the forefront during the forum.
Candidates for Clovis Unified School District’s Area 2 race got an opportunity to talk about their policy platforms with local voters during a candidate forum on Oct. 2.
The forum, hosted at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, was presented by the ACLU of Northern California and Faith in the Valley. Candidates Wilma Tom Hashimoto and Janet Kardashian answered questions from local residents, who voiced concerns about marginalized student support at CUSD.
A third candidate for area 2, Molly Defrank, as well as both candidates for area 4, Gina Vue and Hugh Awtrey, did not attend the forum on Wednesday.
Specifically, concerns over support for LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities and students wearing regalia related to their religion or culture were at the forefront during the forum.
“Clovis’ reputation is not good,” said a resident after asking the candidates how they would support LGBTQ+ youth in Clovis Unified, with an emphasis on transgender students.
Though neither candidate outlined specific actions they would undertake if elected, both expressed the need to support all students.
“Everybody’s life has value,” said Kardashian, “I think we need to get the professionals in the areas of psychology, mental health and social health to service every child on that child’s level of interest.”
Hashimoto also noted LGBTQ+ students risk being disowned for coming out, saying that they have to build acceptance at the school level.
In the past, Clovis Unified struggled with its stance on LGBTQ+ students and groups. Last year, the school board faced resistance from community members after they voted to cancel reservations from outside groups to use classroom space after school, denying access to the LGBT Community Network.
The recent passing of AB 1955, which bans parental notification if a child asks to be referred to by a different name or pronouns, conflicting CUSD’s current policy of requiring parent approval for the aforementioned changes to a student’s identity.
Another resident also asked the candidates how they would address and stop racial bullying, saying that their grandchildren would not be attending Clovis schools after their parents’ experience with racist bullying pushed them away from attending schools in the district.
While both candidates condemned the behavior and said the issue needs to be addressed, they did not specifically outline any actions they would take if elected to the board.
When asked about how they would support students with disabilities, Kardashian said she would ask for a bigger budget to hire more aides while Hashimoto said she would make current resources available more accessible and known to parents.
“We need to make sure that those resources are known to those who need it, to those in the school district, to the parents,” Hashimoto said.
Both candidates were asked how they would ensure the district abides by the law, specifically regarding students wearing religious or cultural regalia during graduation. In the past, Clovis Unified has prohibited students from wearing cultural or religious regalia, in spite of California law.
Another resident, Roman Rain Tree, said his son was not allowed to wear an eagle feather along with other regalia during his graduation ceremony in June and asked the candidates what they would do to specifically address this issue.
Kardashian explained that the district needs to be relentless in educating students and adults about multiculturalism, saying that people must be proud to show off their heritage. Similarly, Hashimoto said she was in favor of recognizing and embracing culture in the district.
