Pullman School District
Minutes
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Task Force Meeting
Date and Time
Monday August 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Location
Pullman Public Schools District Office
240 SE Dexter St.
Pullman, WA 99163
Please note these are FINAL task force meeting minutes. Task Force meeting minutes do not require approval at a subsequent meeting since they are prepared and agreed upon by the task force at the end of the meeting.
Committee Members Present
Cheyenne Webber, Colette Casavant, Courtney Hodge, Daun Park, Stephany RunningHawk Johnson
Committee Members Absent
Bekah Miller MacPhee, Jia Cheng, Retal Abdellatiffe
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Stephany RunningHawk Johnson called a meeting of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Task Force Committee of Pullman School District to order on Monday Aug 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM.
II. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Task Force
A.
Tasks assigned by the School Board
B.
Planning of Community Resource Events Hosted by PSD - "Community Connections"
- QPR Training (Suicide Prevention): Contact made with SPIN on August 7 regarding interest in providing QPR training at Community Connections. No response yet. Principals indicated staff interest; clock hours would be essential. Potential outreach to pre-service teachers (Stephany) and optional involvement of Boys & Girls Club.
- Scheduling Events: A form was sent to 12 organizations to collect availability and interest in “headlining” an event. Responses received from 4 so far:
- Pullman Transit
- Pullman Islamic Association
- WSU Center for Civic Engagement
- WSU ROAR
- Follow-up reminders will be sent; need to secure a solid date soon to allow adequate promotion. WSU Center for Civic Engagement (Stephany & Cheyenne) will assist with logistics (greeting, surveying, set-up/clean-up).
- Palouse EDJE Partnership: Two representatives expressed strong interest in collaborating. Initial conversations held with Dr. Watson and Anthony Haynes. Plan to invite them to the September Task Force meeting for deeper engagement.
C.
Discussion: Ways to Support Students/Families Experiencing HIB/Discrimination in Our Schools
- Advocate Training: Interest in providing training for both parent and district advocates to help families navigate processes related to HIB, IEPs, 504s, and discipline.
- Funding Options: Explore possible grants to support this training; question of how reimbursement would work.
- Potential Partners: Contracting with WSU professors who have expertise in school systems (e.g., IEP navigation). Tom Salsbury identified as a possible contact (Stephany to reach out).
- Implementation Considerations:
- Colette and Stephany to collaborate on getting this work started.
- Determine best ways to communicate and spread awareness to families.
- Consider embedding advocacy support as part of the standard process.
- Opportunity to discuss with Palouse EDJE for collaboration.
III. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:14 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Stephany RunningHawk Johnson
Tasks reviewed.