WOODBURY, MN (WNN) – The South Washington County School Board tonight approved an updated equity and inclusion policy. Two board members spoke against the policy but it was approved by a majority of the board on a voice vote. That prompted applause from those attending the meeting.

“Until racism doesn’t exist, which it does, I believe we need a policy to protect all students,” board member Melinda Dols said. 

Board members Simi Patnaik, Sharon Vanleer, and Louise Hinz also spoke in support of the policy that aims to create safe spaces for conversations around race, ethnicity, and culture, advance diversity, racial equity, and inclusion, and address student achievement disparities. 

Board members Ryan Clarke and Eric Tessmer spoke against the policy. Tessmer said the goal should be to unify society and an “obsession with racial identification is not going to get us there.”

Clarke said the policy could jeopardize federal funding for the district due to President Trump’s executive order against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The Minnesota Department of Education has said it will not comply with the order because the agency believes the order circumvents Congress.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellingson has filed a federal lawsuit against the presidential order. 

District superintendent Julie Nielson said the policy was updated as part of a standard process of reviewing all district policies. The equity policy was originally prompted by student concerns in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder. Students, teachers, staff, and community members were part of the process to review and update it.

Board member Louise Hinz, a retired teacher in the district, said: “Part of this policy to me is saying, ‘See me for who I am.’ “