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Tamalpais Board Rejects Renewal of Black Student Support Team Leaders’ Contracts

District officials plan to continue the support program using existing staff.

Demonstrators rally in front of Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley on Thursday, June 5, 2025, over the district's decision not to extend contracts for two consultants who support Black students. (Photo by Preston Picus)
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Tamalpais Union High School District board member Ida Green speaks in favor of extending the contracts of consultants Paul Austin and Tenisha Tate-Austin during a board meeting in Larkspur, Calif. on Tuesday, June 4, 2025. (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal)
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Overview

  • On June 3, the Tamalpais Union High School District board voted 3–2 against renewing contracts for Tenisha Tate-Austin and Paul Austin, who lead the Black Student Success Support Team.
  • The Austins’ contracts, valued at $150,000 and $100,000, funded academic data monitoring and a drop-in mentoring center for Black students at Tamalpais High.
  • Teachers, parents and students rallied outside the school on June 5, gathered roughly 900 petition signatures and intend to speak at the June 17 board meeting.
  • Board-presented data showed improvements in test scores and attendance among Black students participating in the program.
  • Superintendent Tara Taupier will resign June 30 after disputing procedural violation claims, and trustees plan to meet with incoming superintendent Courtney Goode to maintain services internally.