Public Comment Extended

The Capistrano Unified School District board extended the public comment period to an hour, giving each speaker two minutes. The vote was 4-3.
The speakers thus far have been split with some condemning the trustees, some supporting and some just urging teachers and the board to return to the table - anything to avoid a strike.
The crowd inside is being well- mannered and President Anna Bryson has allowed applause.
The crowd outside is rowdier - those cheers can be heard clear up at the board dais.
Also outside is a table for Capistrano Unified School District recall supporters to collect signatures.
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Comments

[Another dedicated teacher]

I came upon the following quotes that sum up how I think many teachers are feeling during this frustrating and disheartening situation. If we do vote to strike, it will be because we have to show the board that we will not be bullied, and we will not allow our elected representatives to behave in a way that is illegal, immoral, and unjust.

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." -Eleanor Roosevelt

“A great leader's courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.”-John Maxwell

“It is curious - curious that physical courage should be so common in the world, and moral courage so rare”-Mark Twain

“Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose.” -Tom Krause

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”-Winston Churchill

And... finally....

"It takes less time to do things right than to explain why you did it wrong." ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow~

Amen!

[Do the Right Thing!]

It is abundantly clear that this Board has no support from parents, students, teachers, or classified. They have no credibility or respect. They need to step down!

[Reality Check]

Good to know that the Queen Bee (Bryson) is "allowing applause." How better to judge the strength of public input? And an entire hour of her time before she, Maddox and Winsten flip everyone off (metaphorically) by ignoring everything that was said! What generosity! (But I guess OC Tavern will still be open.)

Are any of the speakers from the firm of Bucher, Alexander, Beall, Beall, et al? Are any of them wearing a fuschia jacket and telling us to vote for legislators who will put the environment last?

Jonathan, thanks for being there. Wish I was.

[Love to teach]

Love this - very refreshing to read inspiration rather than so much desperation!

[brownidgirl]

Do you think they are behaving any differently because of "the media?"

[Javaman]

I'll have to wait for later to confirm my guess as to which board members voted against extending the public comment period. (I think I can name two of them right off the top...)

Regardless of accuracy of my guess, however, four members of the BoT should be commended for voting to extend the time for public comments (even if it is something they (probably) did on the advice of their PR consultants and does not really represent any significant change in their position on whether to impose a solution or to work with parents and teachers to come up an alternate solution - oh how I would love to be wrong about this last part).

[recall Maddox and Winsten]

The board meeting is packed, inside the board room and out onto the sidewalk. Parents, students, and teachers showed up. There seemed to be lots of media coverage. The BOT tried to put on a more benevolent face by allowing twenty speakers. Most seemed clear on the board misrepresenting their actions in ending negotiations with the teachers. As Mark Twain said, "Don't tell fish stories to people who know who you are, but particularly, people who know the fish."

[supporteducation]

I heard that teachers and union members have come to this meeting from outside the CUSD area and even as far away as LA.
You may all consider this to be a big turnout against the board, but look at all the commuity members who didnt show up and who do not support this. And look at all the Kids who DID go to school today..

[Spin Zone]

Supporteducation,

Ahhh yes, the old "Union Mobs" bussed in the supporters routine...

It didnt work last time the Bealls tried to use it and it wont work now

[Black Days]

supporteducation,

For one, I was actually at the board meeting and I can tell you that most of the people there were parents! There were a lot of people signing the recall petitions. Second, just because certain kids went to school today, do not think that they are unsupportive of their teachers. Maybe the parents could not find a babysitter. Or, maybe the parents of those children don't support the board but still want their children in school. What we can say, though, is that the huge number of students who were absent today probably do support their teachers--and education!