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Teachers, union leaders and clergy urge board to protect students and enforce anti‑discrimination policy
Summary
Educators, union representatives and clergy told the Escondido Union High School District board that the August public comments harmed students and violated district nondiscrimination commitments; the Escondido Secondary Teachers Association read a statement reaffirming support for inclusion.
Union and teacher representatives used public comment to press the board to uphold district policies that bar discrimination, harassment and bullying. A speaker representing the Escondido Secondary Teachers Association read a statement calling on "all stakeholders… to uphold these principles" and said the union "denounces in the strongest terms any form of discrimination, harassment, or intimidation." Several teachers described classroom impacts and said students were aware of the August episode.
Counselor Rita Guerra described the harm to students when leaders speak of a campus as "beyond help," calling such language "not just disrespectful, it's harmful" and urging the board to provide leadership that protects vulnerable students. Lisa Nava, director of operations at the North County LGBTQ Resource Center, reminded trustees that California anti‑discrimination law applies in district operations: "Those laws are California laws. They are not up for negotiation." The board acknowledged the testimony and reiterated that district policy prohibits harassment based on gender identity and other protected classes.
