Instructor alleges removal from Hayward Career Center barbering program; students and community urge board intervention

Abdullah Sahin Mostafa, a barbering instructor at Hayward Career Center, told the Richland 1 Board of School Commissioners on Dec. 9 that he was removed from the program on Sept. 8 after raising concerns about instructional quality and students’ ability to meet required training hours.

"My key was taken, and I was told not to enter the classroom," Mostafa said during the board’s public participation period, arguing that he followed protocol and put students first. He said many students have not earned the required hours and several graduates had not completed basic live haircuts, which he described as "alarming and unacceptable." Mostafa asked the board to investigate, reinstate him, and provide direct oversight to restore accountability and integrity to the program.

Community barber Daryl Goodwin and former student Christopher Watkins also addressed the board. Goodwin said a student sent to his shop for an internship was unprepared and frightened, and he called for someone to "stand in their behalf." Watkins, who said he completed the program, told the board he felt the class did not teach the practical skills graduates need. "Only one person from the program out of 17 students had a license," Watkins said, describing lost hours and unpaid or miscounted practical time.

Board chair Robert Lomenak closed the public comment portion after two speakers and said the board had received the concerns. No formal administrative response or personnel action on the specific claims was recorded in open session during the meeting; the board later went into executive session to consider personnel matters listed on the agenda, but no public details were released about that discussion.

Mostafa said he would escalate the matter to the State Board of Education with parents if the district did not resolve the dispute. "If this is not resolved immediately, I would be at the State Board of Education with parents addressing this crisis publicly," he told commissioners.

The board did not announce an immediate investigation or timeline in open session. Commissioners and staff did not dispute the factual claims during public comment; they did not provide a public timeline for next steps during the meeting. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2026.

What’s next: The public record from this meeting shows the allegations and requests from Mostafa and others. Any administrative response, personnel action or investigation timeline would be recorded in subsequent board communications or meeting minutes.