Parents and teachers urge board to reverse involuntary reassignments, defend speech and debate program

Several parents, students and district employees used the public-comment period May 21 to urge Bandon SD 54’s board to reverse involuntary teacher reassignments, preserve the high-school speech and debate class, and address teacher compensation.

A public commenter said the administration’s plan to transfer the speech and debate teacher to the middle school and convert the high-school class to an after-school extracurricular would “be the ultimate end of this program,” warning it would reduce student participation, scholarship opportunities and the program’s ability to offer dual-credit for seniors.

Dedisha Ryder, who introduced herself during the meeting, described moving into the district for its programs and said the staffing changes “definitely caught my attention.” She urged the board to reconsider and to provide clearer explanations to parents and students.

Zoey Bavay Sura, who identified herself during public comment, named several teachers she said are being reassigned and said at least one teacher has filed a district grievance; she asked for transparency and direct answers about the rationale for the changes.

Several speakers warned the board to expect legal and financial consequences if reassignments continue without clear justification. One commenter with legal-industry experience said employment lawsuits and settlements are common after such personnel actions and could cost the district hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Students and parents described the speech and debate program as transformative: Jerry Sundar, a student who spoke, said the program ‘‘really did help me a lot’’ and pleaded with the board to limit rumors and preserve the pathway that helped him gain confidence and opportunities. Taylor, who said they teach in the district and are also a parent, said loss of programs and declining options for students make retention of signature classes and competitive teacher pay especially important.

Several speakers also raised questions about teacher-bargaining offers and reserves, noting that a 4% raise offered in bargaining does not match local cost pressures and asking the board for transparency on district reserves and resource allocation.

Board members acknowledged the comments; the meeting closed after the public-comment period and adjourned.