Hello from a community meeting hosted by the Diversity Collective. People haven’t really taken their seats yet, but just eye-balling this I think it’s going to be a full house. Everyone is here to talk about the controversial sermon given by VUSD’s David Creswell in ‘16.
If you have no idea what in the heck we are talking about, let me direct you to the latest from @vcstar
Ventura superintendent apologizes for controversial remarks; trustee calls for resignation
vcstar.com/story/news/edu…
Ventura superintendent apologizes for controversial remarks; trustee calls for resignation
vcstar.com/story/news/edu…
So far here there are parents, students, staff, community members and I’m playing I Spy but I think I saw a couple local officials here too
To give you an idea, there’s a line out the door right now because folks are being directed to sign in and fill out comment cards. It’s a pretty good-sized line y’all
Update: they are bringing in more chairs
Update: I heard the words “standing room only” 
I’m giving you updates on people because they haven’t started yet, they’ve had to make seating adjustments to try and get everyone a chair.
Getting started now. Trustee Mary Haffner is here as is former superintendent Trudy Arriaga (who will both be giving statements)
The conversation had tonight will be recorded and presented to the Ventura Unified board
Kate English is the moderator tonight. She’s going over some community agreements. Examples: One voice at a time, don’t comment on the comments of others, try not to go off topic etc
There’s a panel here tonight: an alum of the district, a parent & two retired VUSD administrators
Panel will be asked q’s then give answers. First is thoughts on sermon. The parent, named Andy, said he was shocked and disappointed to hear the words of the superintendent. “It was clear to me ... that the comments were made in a derogatory fashion.”
The former student said the first feeling he felt was shock and he said he was “relieved” that he’s no longer in the district. “I was so scared for the kids that would have to go back to school on Monday knowing there is an administrator who runs all the schools” in charge
Former admin, named Manuel, wonders if the students Creswell spoke about were aware of what he said and how they felt about it
Steve Bailey, former admin, said he felt betrayed. He said he felt Creswell’s statements have created fear. “That four minute section of the sermon took the school district back 20 years,” he said
The panelists are now talking about how they’ve been impacted by Creswell’s sermon.
“It’s created a firestorm,” Bailey said. “It’s activated people and that’s a good thing.”
He said the students he’s talked to are “terrified.”
So far the panelists haven’t said one way or another if they think Creswell should resign/the board should fire him
Spoke too soon. Former admin said he should resign because many in the community wouldn’t be able to trust him. He said the district needs to do a better job vetting candidates
Other admin also said Creswell should resign
Panel portion over. Haffner will speak now. She said the last few days have been the most difficult she’s had as a board member.
“Our community is deeply divided,” Haffner said. She said there’s division among staff, among the community about the sermon. “We would never have hired him if we had known this.” Last comment was met with a round of applause
Trudy Arriaga is going to speak now. “I speak to you right now not as a former superintendent but as grandma Trudy,” she said. Her grandson is in the room.
“I believe that the superintendents comments were reckless and reprehensible,” she said.
She requests that this is not what the superintendent of Ventura unified has in his heart. “In Ventura unified may all continue to mean all,” Arriaga said.
She said she encourages Creswell to continue on his journey of understanding but “not on the backs of our children,” she said. “Not on our time, not on our dime.”
Thomas Macias from HRC is here. He represents Ventura County.
“Our voices need to be heard,” he said. He is encouraging he audience to talk to others in the community and inform them of what is going on. “It’s important that we let people know what our concerns are.”
“Our voices need to be heard,” he said. He is encouraging he audience to talk to others in the community and inform them of what is going on. “It’s important that we let people know what our concerns are.”
This speaker said his daughter is writing a letter to the district. “The kids have a lot of power,” he said. He is from the Ventura Education Partnership. He also said Creswell’s words “don’t fit” with the district
Ok we are on public comment now. First is speaking is a parent/ grand parent. She said she is “so saddened” by the words she said.
The words Creswell said (yikes should’ve had the coffee)
Next speaker is Jeanette Sanchez-Palacios who made a run for the community college board this year. “I’m sorry not sorry” she said that someone who is in public service is held to a higher standard. “It’s not OK for someone to use their religious freedom to hurt others.”
A student from VHS is speaking now. “By allowing a person like him to stay in his position it fosters a hateful environment,” she said. “My hopes are that Mr. Creswell step down.”
A speaker asked about comments made about the board not being able to “lawfully” fire Creswell
This speaker said Creswell is an ordained minister and the district hired a search firm to find a superintendent for $27K. She said “I want my $27,000 back.”
My very rough count of this room has us at about 150+ people here
This next speaker said he listened to the audio and said the tone was what really got to him. He categorized it as dismissive and showing disgust
This speaker said “we teach restorative justice in VUSD” she said if the district sends him away, it would be wrong. She said if Creswell can “really mend” that’s something they should look at. “Condemnation is not education,” she said.
This next speaker said she is a trans, lesbian woman. She agrees with the previous speaker. “This is a teachable moment ... education is an ongoing, lifetime commitment. If we say that someone can’t change then what’s the incentive for someone to ever be better?”
The next speaker said creswell “isn’t a good fit.” And that he should step down
There are student reporters here from Foothill Tech and I think I spy a Ventura High student as well. Yay student journalism!
“In a climate where we can’t control their physical safety always, what we can control is their emotional safety,” said one parent speaker.
Y’all I know when a teacher is a speaker. You teachers certainly have a way of captivating an audience
Former trustee Debbie Golden is reading a letter she and Arriaga prepared and plan to give to the board. She said any others who agree with it may sign it as well.
The letter requests the board and Creswell make the “best decision” for all students.
Doug Halter (unsure of spelling) is speaking now. He said his stomach turned when he heard the sermon. He met with Creswell, his immediate inclination was that he should go. “I believe that people can change,” he said. He said he thinks Creswell is open to learning
“Instead of forcing him out, make him an ally,” he said.
A teacher from Foothill tech is here wearing the FTHS pride shirt. “It should have a dragon on it,” she said. But it doesn’t. She said all her students count and they matter.
