By Arden Nguyen & Karen Phan
The Huntington Beach Union High School District (HBUHSD) teachers labor union criticized district leaders for a lack of transparency and communication with teachers, parents and students when creating the 2020-2021 Opening and Safety Plan in an Instagram post earlier this evening.
In an email sent this morning through ParentSquare, HBUHSD claimed it had organized the 2020-2021 School Opening and Safety Plan with “over 90 HBUHSD stakeholders using guidance from local and state agencies.”
The HBUHSD District Educators Association (DEA), however, posted that “HBUHSD School Board members voted unanimously on Tuesday, August 11th, without public discussion, to approve a Hybrid Instructional Model presented to them by Assistant Superintendent Owen Crosby.”
They also claimed the reopening plan left out a proposal that would have teachers “livestream their lessons with about 18 students in class while the other 18 students watch from home.”
In accordance with statewide guidelines, “HBUHSD teachers expected to review the District’s schedule to provide input and work out the logistics prior to it being presented to the Board and community,” the DEA wrote. “Teachers are just as confused as our students, parents, and community members.”
The union appealed to the community to send emails to Crosby, Superintendent Clint Hardwick and the HBUHSD Board of Trustees urging them to “work collaboratively with parents, students, and teachers.”
DEA also called for HBUHSD to be more transparent and communicative by livestreaming their board meetings on Zoom and holding question and answer forums. Unlike surrounding school districts, HBUHSD does not do either of those things.
Some students share DEA’s frustration.
“As a student, I want to make the most out of my senior year, while being safe,” FVHS senior Shayla Pham said. “But with the district not being forward with teachers nor families, it is becoming increasingly difficult to believe that we will make the most out of our situation.”
Baron Banner has contacted Crosby to confirm if HBUHSD proposed that, when in-person instruction resumes, teachers livestream their lessons with half of their students in class while the other half watch from home.
This is a developing story. Baron Banner will continue updating with information.
August 18, 2020 4:39 p.m. update: Baron Banner contacted Crosby and DEA President Shawne Hume on Aug. 14 but have not heard back from either as of this update.
Read more about the HBUHSD community response to district leadership regarding reopening:
HBUHSD Board begins live streaming meetings after community calls for greater transparency
