Foothills Sentry August 2023

Page 3 Foothills Sentry August 2023 "OUSD Board" continued from page 1 7540 E. Chapman Ave. Orange, CA 92869 (714) 639-9792 MEAT&DELI, PRODUCE, BAKERY, FRESH FISH, GIFT BASKETS, WINE MON-SAT: 8am - 9pmSUN: 8am - 8pm www.Pac i�i cRanchMarket.com $ OFF Excluding alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. With coupon only. May not be combined with any other offer or discount. Limit one coupon per customer. Valid only at P aci�ic Ranch Market. When You Spend $25 or More * EXPIRES: 8 /3 1 /23 5 OC’s Premier ProduceMarket opportunity for parents to review these policies. This should be a discussion item, not an action item.” Some parents, not all “We’re told repeatedly there is a process for policies,” Kris Erickson added. “Rick Ledesma is doing his own thing, com- pletely out of the normal process. Families are on summer break. They are getting shut out. You’re speaking for OUSD parents, but not giving them an opportunity to weigh in. This process is not pro- viding that. It’s not the substance, it’s the process.” “These are compelling items,” Ledesma insisted. “This came to me from parents. A great num- ber of parents. Whatever group of parents you’re considering, we can’t say your parents are better than my parents.” “We don’t have ‘your parents’ and ‘our parents,’” Erickson answered. “They are all our parents. And all should be included in this process.” Erickson, Yamasaki and Page asked that the document come back to the board for a second reading. They were rejected in a 4 (Ledesma, Miner, John Ortega, Angie Rumsey) to 3 vote. The Parent’s Bill of Rights assures public access to the curriculum, books and reading materials online and in school libraries, all supplementary materials used in classrooms, and timely notice of third parties coming onto campus to interact with students. It states that the district will provide in-person meetings with parents, allow them to speak at public meetings, and consider their feedback when making education-related decisions. In addition, parents have the right to protect their student’s privacy, and the district website will present information about the budget, and parent’s ability to opt out of sexual health education or student surveys. Here and now Ironically, all of these rights already exist within OUSD. “These rights are here,” Erickson said. “These rights belong to parents. We respect the parents, we have been the parents. Parents have the right to access curriculum, state academic standards, and school libraries. This doesn’t change anything we’re willing to do as a district. We can do these things, have done these things, and never refused any of them. No one objects to this.” Interim Superintendent Ernie Gonzalez confirmed that the rights identified by Ledesma and Miner are, indeed, current district policy. “You’re painting a picture of a problem that doesn’t exist, and then saying you’re solving it,” Erickson summarized. “That’s political theater.” She suggested that the document be amended to include references to equitable access to a full library of age-appropriate books to satisfy the diverse needs and interests of all types of students; that parents can advocate for their students in their native language; that student’s rights under state and federal law are protected; that disciplinary procedures for harassment and bullying be displayed on the website; and that the district will follow all state laws with regard to academic content and standards. Anderson Jeng wins essay contest The Elks Grand Lodge holds an Americanism Essay Contest geared to students in 5th through 8th grades, This year, the essay theme was “What is Your Ameri- can Dream?” Anderson Jeng won first place in the 6th grade category in Or- ange. Jeng went on to win first place in the Orange Coast District and take second place in the state competition. He received awards of $50 from Orange and $400 from the state as well as Certificates of Apprecia- tion from both. Jeng was a first- place winner last year as a 5th grader. Essay contest winner Anderson Jeng with Orange Elks Chair Chris Michaelis, and Exalted Rul- er Janine Storm in back. Do it my way “No,” Ledesma argued, “This is Trustee Miner’s and my bill of rights. We are bringing it forward for parents.” Noting the compelling nature of the document, he insisted that it be voted on as-is, and that amendments could be voted on later. He further admonished that the district claimed parents had access to the curriculum, but they really didn’t. He specifically cited sex education material that, he hinted, was being taught behind parents' backs. Erickson reminded him that he was on the board when the sex- ed curriculum was approved, and that it went through a year-long review, editing process and deep discussion by a large committee of parents before it was even considered to be adopted. “That committee,” he said, “was a handpicked political puppet of the majority of the board.” Yamasaki pointed out that when the sex-ed curriculum was introduced, staff was willing to go over it with any parent who had concerns at the parent’s convenience – after hours, on weekends. “That didn’t happen,” Ledesma countered. All in favor Erickson motioned that the board accept her amendments. Miner said she was willing to consider the “native language” provision, but nothing else. Angie Rumsey noted that many parents did not agree with state law, suggesting that provisions that OUSD follow the law be excluded. The amendments were rejected, 4-3. “I want these amendments included in theminutes,”Erickson said. “I want it to be clear what the board was unwilling to do.” Before additional discussion could ensue, John Ortega called for the vote on the Ledesma/ Miner Bill of Rights. “I wholeheartedly respect parent’s rights,” Yamasaki stressed. “I was an OUSD parent, and I’m still involved in schools because I care about our kids’ education. All parents have a right to give input. You are squelching that.” “Some parents had a PTA meeting to attend tonight,” Ana Page said. “They couldn’t be here to hear our discussion. We all thought this meeting was on LCAP and the budget.” No one voted against it.