The Tamalpais High School community in Mill Valley is scrambling to save a student support program after the school board voted to discontinue the employment of Tenisha Tate-Austin and Paul Austin. Their departure effectively dismantles the Black Student Success Team they built from scratch.
At a June 25, 2025 rally before the final Tamalpais Union High School District board meeting of the year, students, parents, and neighbors packed the sidewalks. They protested the board’s decision and stood up for a program that’s become a lifeline for Black student advocacy in Marin County.
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Community Rallies Behind Beloved Program
This demonstration at Tamalpais High marked the second public protest since the board’s controversial move three weeks ago. Folks from all over Marin—Sausalito, San Rafael, Novato, Corte Madera—showed up in solidarity with the Austins and the students who rely on them.
The Austins’ Impact on Tam High
Paul Austin stood outside the Mill Valley campus and addressed the crowd. He reminded everyone that their work always focused on student welfare.
“In the end, it’s about the kids,” Austin said, getting right to the heart of it. The program’s mission has always been to provide targeted support for Black students in a district where they’re a clear minority.
The Black Student Success Team came about to address stubborn achievement gaps and offer culturally responsive support to Black students at Tamalpais High. Since then, it’s inspired similar efforts in Tiburon and Larkspur schools.
Growing Tensions in Tamalpais Union High School District
This protest is just the latest chapter in what feels like a growing conflict between district leadership and community advocates. The decision not to renew the Austins’ contracts has sparked real questions about whether the district truly supports equity initiatives in a county long criticized for its racial disparities.
Student and Parent Perspectives
Plenty of Tam High students from neighborhoods in Ross Valley and beyond have said the Black Student Success Team gave them much-needed mentorship and academic support. Parents at the rally told stories about how the program helped their kids handle challenges unique to being Black students in Marin County.
“This program gave my daughter a sense of belonging she hadn’t found elsewhere at Tam,” said one Strawberry parent who preferred to stay anonymous. “Taking this away feels like a step backward for our community.”
Uncertain Future for Black Student Support
With the academic year wrapping up, no one really knows how the district plans to support Black students without this specialized program. Community advocates from Kentfield to Fairfax are demanding transparency about any replacement support systems.
Broader Implications for Marin County Schools
The situation at Tamalpais High School ties into bigger conversations about equity in Marin County’s schools. Folks in San Anselmo and Greenbrae are paying attention, a bit worried about how the changes might ripple through the district.
Advocates for educational equity say Marin County schools still show big achievement gaps along racial lines. It’s a little surprising, given that this is one of the wealthiest counties in California.
Programs like the Black Student Success Team try to tackle these stubborn disparities head-on. They’re not perfect, but they’re a step toward something better.
Now that the Tamalpais Union High School District heads into summer break, community members say they won’t let up. Many are promising to keep the pressure on the board, organizing actions from Belvedere to Bolinas until the Black Student Success Team returns or something similar takes its place.
Here is the source article for this story: Tamalpais High School Community Rallies Again To Bring Back Student Support Program
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