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Buena Park teachers’ union raises staff safety concerns after reports of assaults
Summary
The Buena Park Teachers Association told the board it has received multiple reports this school year of teachers assaulted by students and said site administrators have sometimes dismissed those reports as staff problems; the union urged the district to collaborate on safety and discipline practices.
At the board’s public-comment portion, Carol Bright, speaking for the Buena Park Teachers Association, urged district leaders to address what she described as a rising number of assaults on teachers.
"Already early in the year, we have received numerous reports of teachers being assaulted by students," Bright told the trustees. "The frequency and severity of these incidents are alarming. What is even more concerning is the dismissive response by some site administrators. Teachers have been told being assaulted by students is their problem and to just call the parents without any other kind of support or discipline by their site administration. This response by site administration is unacceptable."
Bright urged the board and district leadership to ensure principals take reports seriously and to work collaboratively with the union to create "safe and supportive and equitable learning environments across all campuses." She said the union requested the district prioritize staff safety, support disciplinary responses where appropriate and avoid dismissing staff concerns.
Board members did not announce a formal response during public comment; the item proceeded to the agenda that followed.
