Equity Advisory Committee (EAC)

In the Grants Pass School District, we are striving to create a school community that ensures ALL students have a safe, positive, and caring school experience. If you have questions about the Grants Pass School District 7's efforts, please contact Director Ryan Thompson.

Equity Advisory Committee to the Superintendent 

In accordance with Oregon House Bill 2453 (2025), the Equity Advisory Committee serves to advise the Superintendent regarding the educational equity impacts of district policies, practices, programs, and initiatives. The committee helps identify barriers impacting underrepresented and underserved student groups and provides feedback and recommendations to support equitable outcomes for all students. The committee supports the district’s Strategic Plan by elevating diverse perspectives and helping inform decision-making that promotes inclusive learning environments and student success. See the state's District Equity Committees webpage for additional information.

Membership

The Equity Advisory Committee shall be composed of parents/guardians, students, employees, and community members representative of the district and reflective of underserved and underrepresented student groups as outlined in HB 2453.

Membership may include representation from:

• Parents/guardians
•  Students
• Licensed staff
• Classified staff
• Community organizations
• Cultural or affinity groups
• Underrepresented student populations

Application and Selection Process

The district will:

• Publicly solicit applications from interested community members
• Encourage participation from underrepresented and underserved groups
• Review applications to ensure broad and diverse representation
• Select members aligned with the purpose and requirements outlined in HB 2453

Applicants may be asked to briefly describe:

• Their interest in serving
• Their connection to the district or community
• Perspectives or experiences they would bring to the committee

Committee Operations

The Equity Advisory Committee will generally meet 4–5 times during the school year, typically from 5:00 PM–6:30 PM. Committee operations may include:

• Collaborative discussion and feedback processes
• Recommendations shared with the Superintendent
• Opportunities to review district initiatives, policies, programs, and data related to educational equity

Key Duties

•  Advise the Superintendent regarding the educational equity impacts of policy decisions
• Provide feedback on district initiatives and strategic priorities
• Identify challenges or barriers impacting underserved and underrepresented student groups
• Recommend strategies to improve inclusive practices and equitable outcomes
• Support community engagement and relationship-building
• Review data, programs, and practices through an equity lens
• Assist in informing the district’s annual equity reporting processes

Underrepresented and Underserved Groups

Underrepresented or underserved groups may include, but are not limited to:

• Students of color
• Indigenous/Native American students
• English Learners
• Students experiencing poverty or housing instability
• Students with disabilities
• LGBTQIA+ students
• Foster or migrant youth
• Immigrant or refugee students
• Other student populations whose voices or experiences may not be fully represented in district systems or decision-making