By Justin HAGER

More than a dozen students, parents and activists gathered in the boardroom of the Glendale Unified School District on Tuesday to call on board members to pass a resolution recognizing the rich culture, contributions and value of African American students and community members. The resolution formally recognized and welcomed the participation of educators, staff, students and parents in community-based activities and events related to African American History Month and Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action. Despite passing unanimously, the issue was not without tension.

Tanita Ligons, founder of Black in Glendale, underscored the importance of the resolution by noting that “when someone who says they are committed to this resolution then proceeds to tell us about our own history, it tells us that you really don’t understand why this resolution is important.”

Board Member Greg Krikorian responded later by saying, “I apologize if people misinterpreted. I know where my heart is and where my feelings are.”

Prior to the meeting, eighth grade student Gianni Higginbotham and ninth grade student Frank Higginbotham discussed the issue with other attendees, citing the importance for black students to feel connected with their classmates and teachers through curriculum and programming and see themselves reflected in their school’s staff and administration.

Ligons added, “This resolution is not just for black children in Glendale. It is for all children in Glendale. The children of this community need to be given the opportunity to learn about and appreciate other cultures and people who are different [from] them, and to respect one another. This resolution is also for our educators who need the school district to provide them with the tools to prevent the kinds of acts we have heard about in past school board meetings and in our living rooms. Incidents of black and brown students having other students spit on their chips and being called ‘n****rb*tches.’ It’s time for the school to step up and take action.”

Significant time in the meeting was also dedicated to discussion of the California Schools and Communities First Act, a proposed ballot initiative that seeks to close an educational funding loophole created by Proposition 13. The board voted unanimously to pass a resolution endorsing the measure.

Crescenta Valley Weekly will publish a more in-depth article on the proposed ballot initiative in a future edition.

On a more celebratory note, students from across Crescenta Valley and the rest of the district were recognized by the board for their selection to participate in state honors musical ensembles. Students from Rosemont Middle and Crescenta Valley High schools earned a place on the All-State Honor Ensembles sponsored by the California Band Directors Association (CBDA) and the California Orchestra Director’s Association (CODA). Students from Mountain Avenue Elementary, Rosemont Middle, Crescenta Valley High, Dunsmore Elementary, and Monte Vista Elementary schools all earned a place on one of the Southern California Honor Ensembles sponsored by the Southern California School Band & Orchestra Association (SCSBOA).

Near the conclusion of the meeting, the GUSD board also took action to formally award a contract for repair and replacement of the Crescenta Valley High School elevator contract to GMS Elevator Services Inc. in the amount of $74,998. The elevator replacement is funded by Measure S funds, which have also been used to upgrade athletic facilities at CV High.

  Justin HAGER