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Teachers' union leader tells board staff have been verbally harassed; public callers press for clearer communication and safety supports
Summary
Brookings-Harbor Education Association president Michael McQueen told the board staff reported being verbally harassed while wearing ID badges and called for unified communications; other public commenters urged better crisis communication, stronger mental-health supports and a careful approach to policy changes.
Multiple members of the public used the Sept. 17 public-comment period to press the board on safety and communication.
Michael McQueen, president of the Brookings-Harbor Education Association, said teachers and classified employees view the safety of students and staff seriously and reported that staff members had been "verbally harassed in public while wearing their school ID badges," leaving many unsettled. McQueen praised the superintendent and board for issuing a timely press release earlier in the week and called for continued attention to staff well-being and unified district communications.
Other public commenters raised related issues. Thena Larteri Lyons urged the district to provide timely, transparent messaging to parents about preparedness and crisis response as community anxiety has increased; Gordon Clay emphasized the need to expand mental-health and bullying-prevention programs and supports for students in crisis. Nikki Darger, a longtime teacher and district alumna, cautioned against reactionary policymaking and urged the board to craft deliberate, long-term policy solutions.
The board acknowledged the comments and offered thanks to staff during member remarks but did not record immediate new policy actions in response to the public comments at this meeting.
