Land acknowledgement still a topic at Chandler school board meeting
Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks
Jamie Martin speaks to the Chandler Unified Governing Board during its Oct. 7 regular meeting. Several public-input commenters at the meeting want the board to reverse its decision to have a land acknowledgement video played at both board meetings and district graduation ceremonies.
Even a month after the Chandler Unified Governing Board voted to have a land acknowledgement video played at both board meetings and district graduation ceremonies, it’s still a topic at least a few parents’ rights advocates brought up publicly.
About six of the public-input speakers at CUSD’s Oct. 7 meeting spoke about the land acknowledgement video that’s now played at district events. All were against it and urged the board to reconsider it.
As the board is barred by state law from addressing public input, no one on the board responded to what was said.
Barbie Brasch was the first speaker, beginning by congratulating board member Kurt Rohrs on getting a second term; the CUSD election was canceled at the recommendation of Maricopa County Superintendent Shelli Boggs because only Rohrs and challenger Zeyna Pruzhanovsky were eligible to run for the two seats on the ballot.
“I congratulate board member Rohrs in acclimating to a new four-year term,” Brasch said. “It’s comforting to know that at least one board member will be looking out for the best interest of students, parents and stakeholders, rather than using it as a tool to promote political ideology and/or as a campaign platform.”
Board President Patti Serrano, first elected to the board in 2022 on the same day as Rohrs, decided to not run for reelection in 2026, so her term on the board will end in early January.
Brasch offered the most criticism for Serrano in particular, taking her to task for voting against school resource officer contracts with the Chandler and Gilbert police.
Rod Wielke also spoke against the land acknowledgement decision.
“I understand the intention behind them,” Wielke said. “But when a public school repeatedly identifies people through inherited groups and historical grievances, I think we should, at least, ask if we are bringing students together or continually reminding them of what separates us.”
Another speaker, Ann Adams, said broadcasting the land acknowledgement video so often is “like saying ‘We took your land, and we’re not going to give it back,’” and questioned the educational value of playing the statement.
Another speaker, Jenny Martin, said she wants the district to “please move away from political messaging.”
“Put attention where families need it,” Martin said.
Another speaker, Amy Rikes, said she thinks the board decision might lead it to make other decisions of the same type.
“I just want to caution the board about the direction it’s headed,” Rikes said. “My daughter is still questioning it, a little bit.”
Rohrs, the most vocal opponent on the board about the reading of the land acknowledgement, leading up to the Sept. 9 vote, didn’t wade into the dialogue at the Oct. 7 meeting. He did say, in his remarks at the end of the meeting, that acknowledging military veterans could also be something the board should consider doing at every meeting.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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