Olympia residents voice support, concern about school board’s first Black member
Talauna Reed was officially sworn in as an Olympia School District board member Thursday, Oct. 27, becoming the first Black member of the board.
What came after were remarks from the public, both questioning the board’s decision and praising them for bringing Reed’s perspective to the table.
Reed had earlier come under fire from a group called the Olympia Fairness Alliance, composed of parents, teachers and residents who brought to light her criminal record and statements she’s made in the past about police and other issues.
But during the public comment period Thursday, six out of the eight people who spoke offered nothing but praise.
Derek Hull, a parent in the district, said Reed is a woman of great character and bravery. With her on the school board, he said he knows no child will fall through the cracks.
“Her moral compass always points toward justice and fairness,” Hull said. “She has a long history of speaking up for those who have long been ignored.”
Olympia resident Lisa Ganser, acknowledging Reed’s position as the first Black board member, thanked the board for choosing who she said is the most qualified person available.
Alex Dodwell, a teacher at Hansen Elementary School, said he’s known Reed for a couple years, and called her an amazing person with a commitment to diversity and inclusion. He said his school is affected more than most by housing and other insecurity issues, and Reed’s background in advocacy work makes her well qualified to work with families in the district.
Dodwell said he worked with Reed last winter on a toy and book drive, where she partnered with an apartment complex manager to ensure families of school-aged children in the complex got what they needed for the holidays.
Hattie Osborne, another Hansen Elementary teacher, said Reed’s connections with resources throughout the county will be a great benefit to her school. She said Reed provides a perspective that the district desperately needs to better serve its students of color and low-income and unhoused families.
But others voiced their dismay over the school board’s appointee.
Olympia resident Alesha Perkins said she was astonished at the board’s decision to appoint Reed. She brought up Reed’s criminal history, which includes offenses of domestic violence, theft and embezzlement. She also referenced statements Reed made in 2021 regarding her views on the police.
“Her conduct is not conducive to the basic code of conduct required of our students.” Perkins said. “I do not believe that I would even be able to volunteer within the district with this background.”
She questioned whether the board knew about Reed’s criminal history and past remarks before they made their decision. She said she hopes they reconsider her appointment.
Olympia resident Frank Durocher asked the board to make a statement addressing Talauna’s past actions and remarks, and said Reed’s extremism would typically disqualify someone from being appointed to the board. He also questioned the board’s conversation about trying to address inequities in the district and asked them to stop using the term “white supremacy” because it “villanizes all whites.”
“True equity is not just lifting up the kids and families that exist in society’s margins,” he said. “While that’s important, true equity is when you lift up everybody in new ways to make sure that the margins aren’t left out.”
He referenced Reed saying her own children felt like they didn’t belong in the district, and said there’s an entirely new batch of kids that are feeling the same way because of the district’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.
Durocher said Reed brings new perspective to the board’s discussions, and as a parent he wants to be a part of those conversations. He also encouraged those who are unhappy with her appointment to get involved in the voting process. The next election of school board members will be in 2023.
Olympia resident Nomy Lamm said she’s excited for Reed’s appointment. As someone who went through the OSD as a disabled child, Lamm said she knows Reed understands how to work with people to address issues and find support.
“I want to shine as much love and support and enthusiasm toward this as possible because I know she’s also receiving a lot of negative attention for this,” Lamm said. “But she deserves a chance to do a really good job.”
The Olympian was unable to reach the Olympia School District or Reed for further comment on Friday.
This story was originally published October 30, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
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