The ISD 279 School Board held a work session Tuesday to discuss implementation of a pride month advisory lesson scheduled for May, seeking guidance amid recent federal executive orders.

General Counsel Amy Moore presented legal analysis showing the district remains in compliance with state and federal laws despite Executive Order 14190, which threatens funding for schools promoting what it terms "gender ideology." Moore explained that federal funding comprises about 10% of the district's budget and that the district has sufficient reserves to withstand potential funding delays.

Board members expressed divided opinions on proceeding with the lesson. Some members supported continuing as planned, citing the district's commitment to supporting all students. Others questioned whether the separate advisory lesson was necessary, noting the board never explicitly directed its creation and suggesting the district's existing policies already ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws.

The board also reviewed its committee structure and governance processes with facilitator Christine Reesi from Teamworks. Members discussed improving transparency, streamlining meeting presentations, and clarifying the roles of various advisory committees including DPAC, RISE, and special education advisory groups.

No formal decisions were made during the work session, as is typical for these discussion-focused meetings. The administration will continue preparing the advisory lesson while considering the board's input on implementation approaches.