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Teachers, parents and union voice concern over protest messaging and teacher pay at El Segundo Unified board meeting
Summary
Community speakers criticized vulgar posters at a student walkout and teachers urged higher pay and benefits at the Feb. 10 El Segundo Unified board meeting; union and PTA representatives called for a fair contract while the district and police protected students during the event.
At the Feb. 10 regular meeting of the El Segundo Unified School District Board of Education, multiple public commentators criticized the content and oversight of a student protest held Feb. 5 at El Segundo High School and renewed calls for better compensation for educators.
Yudranka Draskovic told the board she observed "vulgar and hateful" posters during the walkout and asked whether adults in classrooms had supervised or allowed students to create them during instructional time. She said the messaging conflicted with the school's Kindness Week and asked whether the district wanted to send "a message of hate or kindness."
Jack Ashworth, another public speaker, characterized the posters as evidence that the district's diversity, equity and inclusion work was "indoctrinating students," and suggested the board consider inviting Turning Point USA to help establish a club for students with conservative views. Tamara Kachowski questioned administrative statements that the school "didn't know" about the planned walkout while suggesting some teachers used class time to make signs; she also raised safety concerns after seeing students climb new campus signage.
Representing teachers, Amy Grant — introduced herself as an El Segundo resident, parent, tenured first-grade teacher and chair of the PTA committee — asked the board for "partnership, honesty and mutual respect." Grant criticized a proposed 1% pay increase for educators while, she said, "upper administration received 7% increases after barely a year of service," and said teachers had requested a $2,000 contribution to health benefits that was countered with zero. "If we truly believe in community, well-being, and partnership, then our educators must feel those values not just in words, but in action," she said.
Andrew Kelly, speaking for the El Segundo Teachers Association (ESTA), said teachers face rising costs for housing and health care and urged the board to negotiate a fair agreement that will retain current educators and attract new ones.
Board members and the superintendent acknowledged the speakers and repeatedly emphasized that the district supported students' safety and rights. A board member said for the record there were no incidents during the walkout and that students were protected by police and staff and returned to class to finish their day.
The public comment segment concluded without formal board action on the protest or contract terms; several board members later said they had faith that negotiations between the district and teachers would continue and that a resolution was likely but might take time.
