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Parent alleges hostile leadership at Falcon Elementary, says volunteer sessions may violate state code
Summary
A Falcon Elementary parent told the board teachers feel demoralized and claimed non‑credentialed volunteers lead some in‑school 'Falcon time' sessions, which she said conflicts with 'California educational code, 60040'; the board invited administration to follow up.
At the public‑comment portion of Thursday’s Brea Olinda Unified School District board meeting, parent Andrea Pulsipher raised concerns about staff morale and program legality at Falcon Elementary School.
Pulsipher described a pattern of resignations, transfer requests and teachers placed on administrative leave, and said the school’s culture felt “hostile and fractured.” She asked who approved “Falcon time,” a part of the school day when volunteers lead sessions, and asserted that volunteers should not displace credentialed instructional time. “Under the California educational code, 60040, instructional time must be accurate, objective, free of bias and formally approved,” Pulsipher said, and added that volunteers do not have legal authority to instruct students during the school day.
Board President Flanders and Superintendent Brenda Leon did not dispute her account but invited Pulsipher to meet with administration and HR after the meeting to review specifics. Leon and trustees also encouraged staff to respond to individual concerns and said administrators are available to follow up.
The board did not take action during the meeting; administrators offered to meet with the parent and to review program approvals and compliance with state instructional‑time rules.
