ousd superintendent fired

Lets focus on our kids.. Yamasaki said, Theres some misunderstanding as to what we are actually teaching, so they want the district to go in a different direction.. We do not need to follow the pattern of hiring people who do not care about Oakland, the people of Oakland, or the future of the Oakland. Although CRT is meant to be taught at a college level, conservatives argue its teachings about racism have seeped into K-12 classrooms and become divisive. They set a vague academic audit goal that went undefined and unachieved. 3. A superintendent needs to have a respect for the strong advocacy that comes from a community that has too often been ignored, not invested in and told to sit down and be quiet. Advocates call requirement dangerous, Eating this food may be a reason why some people live to 100, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. The boards actions come after the most recent election when the majority flipped and now tilts in favor of conservatives with the reelection of long-time board member Ledesma and a new trustee, Madison Miner, whose campaign pledged to create a parent-first district.. As public schools become battlegrounds over social curriculums and vaccines, parents in the Orange Unified School District are asking how four of their elected school board members agreed to oust two top district bosses without any prior discussion with their other colleagues. These 10 Orange County restaurants offer views for watching Fourth of July fireworks, Officials fear many Southern California residents are about to lose Medi-Cal coverage for missing paperwork, I just want to be home: United Airlines cancellations, delays continue to multiply at Denver International Airport, What makes you a mosquito magnet? Hansen and Corella were reportedly out of the country and did not attend the meeting. MORE: Why did Orange Unified fire its superintendent? schools and lower the property values of our neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Erickson said the search for a permanent superintendent should be a thoroughly vetted, and transparent process. Another Orange County district that recently fired its superintendent with little notice was Capistrano Unified, where the board met during a special meeting three days before Christmasto oust Superintendent Kirsten Vital Brulte. Ledesma said he asked fellow Trustee Ortega, What is he doing now? The board president said he did not speak with any other board member about Velasquez. Typically, local governing agencies, like city councils, wont have replacements lined up on the same night they fire top executives instead, someone like the deputy city manager will fill in if the city manager was fired. In my opinion, it was an ambush so that we couldnt prepare adequately for the board meeting, Erickson said in a Monday phone interview. The meeting Thursday is scheduled to begin in open session at 4 p.m. before it goes to a closed-door meeting at the districts office at 1401 N. Handy St. in Orange. Yes. 5 Reasons Why the OUSD Superintendent Search is Extremely Problematic In 2003, Randolph Ward held his position for just 3 years before returning to Los Angeles. Thursday 1/12/23. Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC reporter and corps member with Report for America, a GroundTruth initiative. [Read: Orange Unified School Officials Hit With Brown Act Complaint After Superintendent Firing]. Neither could be reached for comment Wednesday night and, according to one board member, were out of town. Whats to say you dont fire him or her on day 31 or day 32?. In announcing its 4-3 behind-closed-door vote, Board President Rick Ledesma offered no public reason for firing Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen and placing a second administrator, Cathleen Corella, on administrative leave. This requires dedication. His resume includes three years with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department as well as chief of school police at Montebello Unified School District, where he rose through the ranks from teacher to superintendent in 2004. Tiffany Morse . And he wants to move forward. Pleasants letter also cites reporting by both Voice of OC and the Orange County Register, in which both of those employees replacements, Craig Abercrombie and Edward Velasquez, told reporters that school board president Ledesma contacted them about the positions before the Jan. 5 meeting. Orange Unified accused of 'full ambush' to fire superintendent; did it They installed crony Edward Velasquez as an Interim Superintendent who is not from OUSD. OSD Superintendent clarifies fight rumors. Why did Orange Unified fire its superintendent? He cleared it, then a second round of shots was fired, killing Brown. For the last 16 years, OUSD has suffered from lack of stability, investment, and commitment from OUSD superintendents. And the revolving door of superintendents is proof of that. Creating an online survey is not an effective way to engage with the community in the hiring process of the next OUSD superintendent. Teachers and staff, including nearly 20% of principals, are fleeing the district, creating a negative impact on our students education. By Maya Martin. Across California and the nation, many first-time Republican candidates ran in school board races, hoping to shake up what they say is a liberal agenda driven by teachers unions and progressive groups. They knew these people would accept those positions before they were nominated. From hiring quality and diverse educators, counselors, and mentors to allocating funds for programs and services that directly serve students and parents. (Courtesy of Orange Unified School District), Approximately 200 concerned parents and teachers gathered at OUSD for a special meeting at the Orange Unified School Board in Orange on Thursday, January 5, 2023 to decide the future and possible firing of Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen and Cathleen Corella, assistant superintendent of educational services. Across Orange County and elsewhere, the non-partisan and once low-profile school boards have become sounding boards for residents discontent. Its replacement just opened. The district brought back the app with adjustments about a week later after other parents raised concerns of censorship, and argued the suspension took away book access from the districts most economically disadvantaged students. An educator who the board originally picked as its interim superintendent in January resigned early, after about a month on the job. They have been complaining over the last few months that social-emotional learning is used to indoctrinate children, but no specifics on what theyre indoctrinating them on, Erickson said. After OUSD hastily fired its superintendent, state legislator looks to implement safeguards. Thursday, January 7, 2021Contact: John SasakiCommunications Director 510-214-2080john.sasaki@ousd.orgOakland, CA Oakland Unified School District is in mourning after learning that former Superintendent Carole Quan passed away after a battle with cancer. . Velasquez had scheduled meetings this week with the board president, administrators, parents and teacher groups. Brandon Pho is a Voice of OC reporter and corps member with Report for America, a GroundTruth initiative. This legislation is not a cure-all, as our issues run much too deep, but it is sound policy that will ensure opportunity for a more transparent and open process that may lessen the negative impact that a sudden one-sided, one-day decision has.. In a surprise move, the Orange Unified School Board is poised to decide the future - and possible firing - of its superintendent and an assistant superintendent during a special meeting. The elected members should have the wherewithal to do whatever they like, but we also want to make sure all the stakeholders who are affected by that to participate in the process and understand why the decision has been made and how it might affect them, said Newman, who chairs the Senate Education Committee. Velasquez, 67, came out of retirement at the request of the School Board majority, which fired Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen during a hastily called meeting last week while families and staff including Hansen were still out during winter break. Orange Unified fires its superintendent despite community outcry Why did Orange Unified fire its superintendent? Until he speaks with board members, he said he could not provide details on what changes could be forthcoming or what a board-requested pending audit of the districts contracts and programs will look like until he learns more. It came just weeks after school board members elsewhere, overseeing the massive Capistrano Unified School District, similarly and abruptly ousted their superintendent around Christmas. Im a consensus builder. A retired Southern California school superintendent living in Idaho took the helm of Orange Unified this week following the abrupt firing of the districts top administrator. Published 3:12 pm Tuesday, February 1, 2022. Adrian School District Superintendent Kevin Purnell, who had worked for the district for fourteen years, was fired on Monday night during a school board meeting, according to the Malheur Enterprise newspaper, which had reporters attending the meeting. Bhatt's gun jammed. OSD Superintendent clarifies fight rumors - The Oxford Eagle Educators emphasis in recent years on social-emotional learning is important, Erickson said, to support the whole child and meet the needs of individual children so they can make the most of their education.. Interim Supt. I heard he went down to San Diego County and helped down there.. March 2, 2017. This requires dedication. Their platform refers repeatedly to parents rights, with many pushing for charter schools and against ethnic studies, sex education, self-esteem programs that fall under the social-emotional learning umbrella and critical race theory, the concept that racism has been historically embedded in American institutions and policies. Meanwhile, Velasquez said his goal is to learn whats going on in the district and how he can be of service a phrase he uses repeatedly. Its been disastrous. Once the surveys are complete, the school board has hired a search firm, Leadership Associates to compile the survey results and present it to the school board. The majority members had never mentioned their intent during their campaigns, surprising voters of all stripes. Our superintendent was fired without explanation or warning in January 2023, ignoring her successful track record and achievements, with no plan for a permanent replacement. Today at 4 p.m., Orange Unified School District trustees will consider firing their superintendent of schools. Thats right, 9 superintendents in the last 16 years. Interim Supt. In March, Ernest Gonzalez, the assistant superintendent in charge of human resources, was appointed to lead the district in an interim capacity. In fact, an online survey is the exact opposite of meaningful engagement. Apr 28, 2023 4:57 pm EDT. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG), OUSD parent and Canyon High graduate signs a recall petition during a special meeting at the Orange Unified School Board in Orange on Thursday, January 5, 2023 to decide the future and possible firing of Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen and Cathleen Corella, assistant superintendent of educational services. Superintendents are responsible for carrying out a vision that empowers and uplifts students throughout their academic career. The search for a new OUSD superintendent brings to light a growing pattern of inefficient and poor city management amongst Oaklands leaders. It comes just six weeks after interim Superintendent Ed Velasquez was appointed to replace his controversially ousted predecessor over the holiday break, a firing which sparked recall interest against a new school board majority that campaigned on a conservative push to reshape education. The Jan. 5 agenda featured a closed session to evaluate the performance of Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen, to discipline or dismiss two employees and to appoint an interim superintendent and an acting assistant superintendent for educational services. Hansen has many accolades from Rick himself: Her leadership team delivered a positive audit report to continue the stellar OUSD fiscal reputation. That does not mean its not going to happen.. (Velasquez is still listed as a consultant on its website, but he said hes no longer working for the firm. Some people cant escape the pesky but dangerous bites, Southern California bakeries, smokehouses may be first in U.S. required to use electric ovens, Florida hospitals to start asking patients immigration status. Typical hot-button topics in recent years include pandemic-related requirements like face masks as well as sex education and teachings related to racism, ethnic studies, health and LGBT issues. Steel called that firing a headscratcher and probably not a case of parent revolt.. One quoted Ledesma's high praise in a review of the superintendent. She really gets it.. The chaos in our district will harm the quality of our public. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG), Parents demonstrate their support for Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen and Cathleen Corella, assistant superintendent, during a special meeting at the Orange Unified School Board in Orange on Thursday, January 5, 2023. To prevent future instances of what he described as a chaotic experience, Newman is behind legislation that would prevent school boards from firing their superintendents or assistant superintendents without cause in special meetings. We dont discuss investigations, Edds said in a Monday text message to a reporter. What happens to the 49,000 students within OUSD who feel the impact, directly and indirectly, of superintendents who are not committed or interested in their academic success and empowerment? The public agenda did not include specific names of potential replacements. Though a spokesperson for Spitzers office, Kimberly Edds, has declined to say whether there have been formal complaints or plans to investigate. Specifically, Ledesma said he wants the board to take a closer look at contracts and programs dealing with sex education, equity issues and ethnic studies, which is a high school graduation requirement for the Class of 2030 and must be offered by the 2025-26 school year. Before Wilson, Gary Yee served as interim superintendent for one year. Leave the district without leadership? Ledesma said Monday. Why exactly is this a problem? Did Orange Unified School Officials Improperly Replace Their This was a business decision for the future of the district and the students, he said. Is there some redundancy?, In recent meetings, Erickson said some board members have questioned various contracts and programs dealing with social-emotional learning, which supports students mental health with programs that help build our students up and look at the whole child.. What we need is a board committee that specifically has the responsibility to engage, interact, and talk to students, parents, families and educators so that the community truly has a say in defining Superintendent hiring criteria and in the interview process. After OUSD hastily fired its superintendent,, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), After OUSD hastily fired its superintendent, state legislator looks to implement safeguards, Former Riverside technical school CEO gets prison for $105 million VA scam, California students believed loan forgiveness would change lives, but SCOTUS decision leaves them devastated, Expelled OUSD student sues district, alleges racial discrimination, violations of due process, This is the existential crisis: A push for climate change education, CSUF professors book records reunion of Auschwitz twins who survived medical experiments, Colleges will have to look for new ways to promote diversity, Russia: A week after mutiny, many questions still remain, Man disputes his role in disgraceful Supreme Court LGBTQ ruling, The Supreme Court rules for a designer who doesnt want to make wedding websites for gay couples, Orange Unified School Board special meeting was hastily called in early January, feel the ramifications of such abrupt change, the board met during a special meeting three days before Christmas, resigned early, after about a month on the job. he old superintendent, Gunn Marie Hansen, and her second-in-command, Cathleen Corella, Orange Unified School Officials Hit With Brown Act Complaint After Superintendent Firing. According to an article by the New York Times His foundation has pumped $144 million into, across the country, is embroiled in a battle to expand the number of charters in his home city, and has issued, on how to close troubled public schools.. 2023 Citizens for the Recall of Ledesma, Ortega, Miner and Rumsey, FPPC #1458000. Send us asecure tip. The vote took place in closed session, meaning behind closed doors, as is narrowly allowed for government body negotiations under state open meetings law known as the Ralph M. Brown Act, so long as theyre regarding topics like price and terms in real estate matters, or personnel and employment. Well, lets break it down. Only one speaker backed the boards plan to remove both from their posts. What we need is a board committee that specifically has the responsibility to engage, interact, and talk to students, parents, families and educators so that the community truly has a say in defining Superintendent hiring criteria and in the interview process. Orange Unified School District trustees at their Jan. 19, 2023 meeting. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG). If a board is unhappy with a superintendent, and they have an intention to fire it will happen regardless, Blades said. From EdSource: Speakers noted that Hansen, honored as superintendent of the year in Orange County by the PTA, received only positive reviews during her five years as superintendent. You cant commit to change if you are changing superintendents every two years. But I also believe in equity, and if you saw my bio, Ive done a lot to work with populations that need additional support., His philosophy of education includes this: I believe in rigor. In California, the GOP recently launched the Parent Revolt, a program to recruit and train candidates for school boards across the state. After a closed session meeting March 13, OUSD Board President Rebecca Chandler reported out a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees approving a separation agreement with Morse. As a result, the state initiated a five year takeover of OUSD. This reckless decision is a waste of taxpayer dollars that has the potential to destabilize the Orange Unified School District and jeopardize the education of over 26,000 students, Min said in his statement which came the day after the boards vote. But the silence of the school board has raised questions about whether the office of OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer, a former school board member himself, will look into whether it all went down by the book. The vote has now drawn threats of a government secrecy lawsuit. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG), OUSD board member Andrea Yamasaki, right, questions board president Rick Ledesma about the legality of the last minute special meeting at the Orange Unified School Board in Orange on Thursday, January 5, 2023 to decide the future and possible firing of Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen and Cathleen Corella, assistant superintendent of educational services. The Broad Urban Superintendents Academy is financed by the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation. But the general goal for newcomer trustees, he said, is to reform schools and address issues that concern parents. Davis filed a wrongful death suit against OUSD, which operates and employs the district police officers who shot and killed Brown. Much of the outcry was centered around this: Despite no prior public discussion about firing the superintendents, the school board majority already had their temporary replacements lined up at the special Jan. 5 meeting where the vote happened. In. I know the board hasnt received any notice of a Brown Act violation from any member of the public, she said. From hiring quality and diverse educators, counselors, and mentors to allocating funds for programs and services that directly serve students and parents. Edward Velasquez flew in Monday afternoon and went straight from the airport to the district office, although he doesnt yet have a contract and his salary hasnt been approved. Like other school boards across Orange County and the country, Orange Unified has seen parents divided over issues like face masks, vaccinations and teachings related to racism and LGBT matters, among other things. Velasquezs most notable public action as interim superintendent was suspending the districts digital library application, Sora, after a couple of parents raised concerns of age-inappropriate books being available to students. Velasquez said he was not very familiar with critical race theory and did not know that California will require an ethnic studies course for graduation for the Class of 2030. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). It is with sadness that I announce that my last day as Interim Superintendent will be Thursday, February 16, reads a Wednesday message to district staff and parents, which was posted on the school district community news page. pic.twitter.com/Vx4aIZfuO9, Senator Dave Min (@SenDaveMin) January 7, 2023. Advocates call requirement dangerous, Eating this food may be a reason why some people live to 100, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Kimberly Statham filled the position after Randolph in 2006, however, left after one year to work in D.C. This requires accountability and stability. My head is still spinning trying to process everything that has transpired the last few days, Abercrombie writes in the memo, which circulated on social media after the board vote. The meeting was called within 24 hours during Winter Break, before their first meeting of the year as the new OUSD Board. This requires accountability and stability. You cant commit to change if you are changing superintendents every two years. At the special meeting, the board also voted to hire Hansens replacement, interim superintendent Edward Velazquez, who is listed as an education consultant for a firm called McPherson & Jacobson, previously serving as an appointed superintendent for the Montebello and Lynwood school districts. Kimberly Statham filled the position after Randolph in 2006, however, left after one year to work in D.C. I know about the Brown Act, he said. We need the community. Orange Unified fires its superintendent despite community outcry, Orange Unified School Board looks to possibly fire superintendents, chief of school police at Montebello Unified, Tourist filmed defacing Romes Colosseum has been identified, police say, ESPN fires 20 on-air employees in latest round of job cuts, Reparations task force gives recommendations on how California can atone for slavery, When the 405 Express Lanes open up, some motorists will avoid the toll. He has now been replaced by interim OUSD superintendent Devin Dillon. The District will continue the work of providing high-quality educational programs for our students with the leadership of Executive Cabinet while the Board of Education begins the process of hiring a permanent superintendent, reads Velasquezs Wednesday message. With such frequent turnover in leadership, the question becomes how does this serve the youth, their families, and the community? Senator Dave Min was elected to the 37th Senate District in 2020 and is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water, as well as the Vice Chair of the California Asian American & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus. This is still not enough. One school board member says it's a resignation. UPDATE: New Orange Unified superintendent looks to be of service but for the short term only. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG), Approximately 200 concerned parents and teachers gathered at OUSD for a special meeting at the Orange Unified School Board in Orange on Thursday, January 5, 2023. Oakland Unified School District - Wikipedia Some people cant escape the pesky but dangerous bites, Southern California bakeries, smokehouses may be first in U.S. required to use electric ovens, Florida hospitals to start asking patients immigration status. Published: 10:23 AM PDT August 31, 2021. Trustees voted in closed session to approve a "separation agreement" with Morse. In 2003, Dennis Chaconas, former OUSD superintendent, was fired from his position. Velasquez told the district this is a key point for his contract: He doesnt want to make more than $49,000 so as to not come close to the nearly $50,000 cap in earnings state retirees can make before their California pensions are affected. Three months passed before Ledesma's Majority interviewed Superintendent search firms and NEVER HIRED ONE, we still do not have a superintendent and are not looking for a replacement. But Velasquez said the district let go of McPherson early on in the search after a board member realized that Velasquez and Ortega knew each other and objected to Velasquez being involved in the superintendents search. Both Velasquez and Craig Abercrombie, principal of Canyon High School and Corellas replacement, knew they could be asked to fill those spots a day before the full board learned theyd be voting on them to assume those roles.
How To Cook Pollock Fish In Oven, Articles O