Union and community members raise inclusivity concerns after district kickoff at church

East Whittier City School District officials heard objections from union leaders and a longtime school employee over the choice of a church as the venue for the district's back-to-school kickoff, an event the district called "Under the Oaks."

The United Educators (UE) president, who identified himself as Mr. Vogelmann and said he teaches at East Whittier Middle School, told the board the event's venue raised concerns because the church is affiliated with Converge and has doctrinal statements he said are exclusive. "If every interaction matters, we are excluding people right from the start," Vogelmann said, citing wording he read from the church describing homosexuality as "a result of the fall of humanity into a sinful condition." He said the union had not been consulted before the venue was selected and asked to be included in venue decisions going forward.

In public comment, Joanna Sanchez of Murphy Ranch, who said she has worked at the site for 29 years, said she raised her concerns about the church venue with district leadership in an email on July 31 and was initially told an alternate venue would not be made available. Sanchez said district staff later offered a smaller alternative location to a limited number of people less than 24 hours before the event. "What message are we sending to kids when we endorse, when we use that facility?" she asked the board, adding she researched the church's affiliation and leadership positions for women.

Superintendent Dr. Vargas acknowledged the concern and said district leaders heard feedback after the event. Vargas said the district had surveyed roughly 1,200 employees about the event and will share the results with both unions. "We will continue to look at the responses of our 1,200 employees from our Under the Oak [survey], and we'll share that with both CSEA and UE so you can see what your members have said," Vargas said. He added the district has many relationships with faith-based organizations and said staff would be mindful of differing opinions in future planning.

UE and the district agreed the choice of venue made some employees uncomfortable. Vogelmann said the union appreciated that the district arranged a separate setting for some employees but said that accommodation should have been offered earlier and to more people. Sanchez urged greater transparency about how the venue was selected and whether required procurement steps (for example, multiple bids) were followed; the district did not provide those procurement details during public comment.

The discussion did not result in a formal board action during the meeting. Board members and district staff said they will review the employee survey and consider how to avoid similar concerns in future events.

The remarks about the venue came during the meeting's public comment and superintendent comment periods.

The district called the kickoff energetic and well planned; several board members and union leaders praised the event content while noting the venue issue. Superintendent Vargas said the district will consider accommodations for future events based on the survey results.