Parents, a reporter and the teachers' union pressed Barstow Unified on curriculum and alleged abuse; BEA demanded accountability

Three public speakers pressed the board Sept. 23 on separate but related accountability concerns.

John Williams told the board he posted on Facebook about a resident's claim and said the mayor met with the superintendent instead of contacting him. "If you're gonna threaten me... I'm a post that letter," Williams said, expressing frustration that he was not contacted directly before the mayor's involvement and warning he would publish any letter he received.

Edie Snell, identifying herself as an investigative reporter and public-access producer, alleged there are open cases involving teacher sexual abuse and asked for records of police notifications and the names of alleged perpetrators. "If you don't put the children first, you don't belong to sit up there," Snell said, demanding the district produce records and investigate whether mandatory reports to the Barstow Police Department occurred.

Separately, a representative of the Barstow Education Association (BEA) presented a formal grievance on behalf of teachers at Russell Junior High School, saying teachers of drama, art, computer concepts and dance "have been assigned to teach classes without the necessary curriculum or instructional material," which the BEA said violates the collective bargaining agreement (articles 29 and 20) and board policy requiring adopted curriculum. The BEA also alleged prior failures of administrative accountability and requested that the district provide curriculum and refrain from assigning teachers without adopted materials.

Board members did not announce specific remedies during public comment. Several trustees expressed condolences for a recent local tragedy and thanked speakers for bringing concerns to the record; the board's later agenda included personnel, curriculum and compliance items to be handled administratively.