BUSD parents protest reopening delay

The main focus of the March 10 Bonsall Unified School District board meeting, via Zoom, was whether or not the school district would be allowing students to return to in person education five days a week.

After the peaceful protest by Bonsall parents all week, BUSD decided that the options needed to be considered and discussed further at a negotiation meeting with the Teachers Union and Bonsall parents on Friday, March 12.

No decisions were made at the March 10 meeting; however, many different opinions were highlighted in the public comments portion of the meeting. Parents, students, teachers, and board members all urged each other to consider both sides.

During the meeting, the co-president of the Bonsall Teacher's Associating, Olivia Haro, addressed the parents and explained that the teachers want nothing more than to be back in their classrooms with all of their students.

"I'm disheartened by the personal attacks us teachers have received on social media," said Haro. "The teachers are not in charge of this decision."

Haro also touched on the reasons why the school district has not gone back to in person education five days a week yet, saying that there is a lack of manpower and space needed to comply with the COVID-19 regulations.

Parents expressed their frustration with the school district, and many even said that they have considered pulling their children out of the Bonsall school district entirely.

Rachel McGlew, a parent of two students attending Bonsall Elementary school, expressed her desire for the schools to reopen due to her children and the damage that has been done to their routine.

"We are a military family, and my children had to say goodbye to their father less than a week ago for another deployment," McGlew said. "What helped them in the last deployment was the routine, social interaction, and school. The teachers were there, the classroom was there, and there was nothing that could take that away. Now they only get 12 hours a week with their teacher. Compared to 30, it is not enough. The kids are falling behind; our system has failed this past year."

Many parents also highlighted the mental health problems their children have experienced due to the lack of social interaction and consistency from school. This includes students feeling more depressed, anxious, and experiencing a decline in performance in school.

Others expressed their support for the teachers and their efforts to bring a sense of normalcy to the classrooms, in person and online.

Superintendent David Jones thanked the Bonsall Teachers Association for helping to improve the schedule, and he urged parents to refrain from attacking the teachers on social media, stating that there are more appropriate ways to raise concerns.

"We all need to be on the same page," said Jones. "Your voices are heard; we want to do what is best for the students."

While many of the parents and students voiced their opinions about opening school completely, others were still remaining cautious and wanting the district to continue to provide online education for their children.

Jennifer Howell, a parent of a student in the Bonsall district, said that the students and parents that would rather continue education online until the pandemic ends deserve to be heard too.

"Please do not take away the online teachers from the kids," she said. "Many of us parents weren't at the corner protesting because we're in the middle of a pandemic, but our voices deserve to be heard too."

The tensions were high as the meeting progressed, but Board of Trustees President Larissa Anderson encouraged everyone to consider both sides, and reminded the parents, students, and teachers that their voices were being heard.

"We're listening," she said. "There are many pieces to this puzzle, but I encourage you to consider both sides."

Negotiations took place on March 12, and the Board of Trustees is hopeful that everyone will bring an open mind and that a consensus will be reached.