Petition started to keep support services for Black students at high school in Marin County

MILL VALLEY, Calif. (KRON) — There’s a petition on Change.org regarding the students at Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley. It’s urging the school board there to keep support services for Black students.

After protests and calls for the district to make changes, Tamalpais High School added several resources for Black students during the 2024-2025 school year. One parent tells me those services could be going away

In 2023, students at Tamalpais High School organized this walkout to protest racism. The hope was that it would lead to change, and Cristine Deberry says it worked. Her sons, ages 15 and 16, both attend the school.

“The district, to their credit, identified supports and put those on campus, including a hub where African American students or any students could go during the school day,” Deberry said.

Deberry says the school board is scheduled to vote Tuesday on getting rid of the support services. She reached out to the five board members to voice her concerns.

When only two agreed to meet, the parent started an online petition on Change.org — gaining more than 400 signatures.

“We know that that kind of support can help. I know that in my own home those systems have helped my kids and what is really distressing right now is we know the district wants to end those services,” Deberry said.

After President Trump took office, he called for the slashing of programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion (D.E.I.), including within the U.S. Department of Education.

KRON4 asked Deberry if she thinks there’s any correlation between the national narrative and her local school board vote.

“I hope that isn’t it because what we’re dealing with here is active acts of racism. We aren’t even having a conversation about wanting to increase the population of African American or Jewish students on campus,” Deberry said. “We’re saying that we would like them to feel safe from racist incidents that are happening at the campus.”

KRON4 reached out to the school’s superintendent for comment but have not heard back.