School Board Discussion

CONTRADICTORY POLICIES

Diverse Voices and Advocacy:

• Elected officials should represent a broad range of voices and perspectives to ensure equitable policy-making. Encouraging parental advocacy is essential, as parents are valuable partners in the educational process. Meaningful discussions with the educational community and collaboration to develop policy are positive strategies to develop buy in. Acting on items on a first read without addressing concerns or resolving potential issues destroy trust.

Harmonizing Local Policy and State Law:

• When school board policies conflict with state laws, it can lead to inconsistencies and confusion within the educational system. If changes are deemed necessary, advocating for reform at the state level is the appropriate avenue for addressing broader concerns rather than causing disruption within a school district.

TEACHER IMPACT

Unstable Work Environment and Fearful Teachers:

• The introduction of policies that potentially violate the law and place teachers in challenging situations creates an unstable work environment. The fear and uncertainty generated by such an environment can have a detrimental impact on teacher morale, job satisfaction, and ultimately, student learning outcomes.

Contradictory Policies and Legal Violations:

• The adoption of a parent notification policy may appear to be well-intentioned, but violation of the state's educational code creates a dilemma for teachers. They are faced with a difficult choice: follow the board policy and potentially violate the law, or adhere to the law and face potential discipline by the board. This places teachers in a no-win situation, compromising their ability to provide quality education.

Targeting and Vilifying Teachers:

• Authentic support for teachers is crucial, and fostering a respectful atmosphere that encourages open discourse and collaboration is essential for maintaining a conducive educational environment. In the past year, teachers have been vilified in social media and at school board meetings. The board has yet to call for an end to derogatory narratives about educators, who have been called indoctrinators, pedophiles, or groomers. This undermines the well-being of teachers and creates an unsafe working environment.

Teacher Union Attacks:

• Education professionals ARE the Temecula Valley Educators Association. You cannot make derogatory statements about TVEA without attacking the educators represented.

• Temecula Valley Educators Association has the job of protecting the contract and working toward ensuring a safe working environment and ideal teaching conditions. TVEA advocates for medical benefits, pay, hours, and other conditions related to employment. School boards should seek to work in partnership with the Teacher’s Union and Classified Union for the benefit of the district at large.

STUDENT IMPACT

Narrowing Curriculum and Ideological Influence:

• School boards play a crucial role in shaping curriculum and educational content. However, when policies are introduced that seek to narrow the curriculum based on personal ideologies, it can undermine the diverse and inclusive learning environment that schools should provide.

Protecting Student Rights to Learn:

• Students have a right to a well-rounded education that exposes them to a variety of perspectives and ideas. When policies, like the December resolution, limit the curriculum based on ideological preferences, students' rights to learn and explore can be compromised.

Protecting Student Rights and Inclusion:

• When school board policies violate student rights or promote ideologies that exclude or stigmatize certain groups, it erodes the very foundation of a safe and inclusive learning environment. Regardless of personal ideologies, public school boards must prioritize the well-being of ALL students. Embracing diversity and creating an environment where students feel valued, respected, and safe contributes to their involvement on campus, academic success and overall well-being.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. Are the school board members listening to all voices?
2. Is the board providing the necessary direction and oversight to ensure the safety and educational experience of those within the district?
3. Has the board worked to create safe learning conditions for ALL staff and students?
4. Has the school board made a good faith effort to listen and collaborate with the Teacher’s Union, Classified Union or members of the educational community?
5. How does calling the Teacher’s Union the “Mafia” help build collaboration?
6. Is it wise to pass a new board policy that another school district is being sued for by the California Attorney General?

Please use these questions to spark conversations with your site reps or contact TVEAPac@gmail.com with your questions and/or concerns.

If you missed the previous Communiques you can read them here:

Part 1 Is the TVUSD School Board Demonstrating Good Governance?

Part 2 Do you trust the TVUSD Board Members to keep TVUSD solvent?