Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1512793
Los Gatos Chapter Beats Back Extremists F O R T H E M E M B E R S of Los Gatos Ele- mentary Teachers Association (LGETA), keeping inclusivity in their classrooms without the influence of outside groups aiming to erode public education is a top priority. In October, more than 27 educators and multiple fami- lies showed up to the Los Gatos Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees meeting to stop a proclamation from a parent group that November be declared "parents' rights month." At school board meetings across California and the country, similar efforts by outside groups — who have no connections to local communities — have led to anti-LGBTQ+ policies such as Pride Flag bans and outing trans student policies. They've also led to banning books and attempts to omit truths about the role of race from history textbooks and other curriculum. LGETA educators and local families came to the board meeting unified and with powerful messages that showed unshakable solidarity in the belief that all students deserve great public schools (a few LGETA members, above). "What resonated with our members is that the district has never received such a request from an outside organization," said LGETA President Bobby Ruyle. " This outside organi- zation is part of a network of groups seeking to undermine public education and reduce the safety of all students. "Our educators care deeply for our students and want nothing more than to have a safe learning environment for all. Allowing political actors to drive our educational policy is simply unacceptable." School board members were deeply moved by the edu- cator and parent unity. The board unanimously decided to abandon the proclamation — an example of what can hap- pen when educators, families and community work together. —Gabriella Landeros Pupil health: opioid overdose prevention and treatment: Melanie's Law (SB 10 — Cortese); CTA supported. States the Legislature's encouragement of COEs to establish a county working group on fentanyl education in schools for outreach, building awareness and collaborating with local health agencies regarding fentanyl overdoses; requires the CDE to curate/maintain online informational materials for school staff, pupils and parents/guardians on how to prevent opioid overdoses; in collaboration with the California Health and Human Services Agency, to establish a state working group on fentanyl education in schools, to promote public education, awareness and prevention of fentanyl overdoses, with outreach to school staff and pupils. Requires a school to 1) notify pupils and parents/guardians of the informational materials; 2) develop a comprehensive safety plan with protocol in the event a pupil is suffering or believed to be suffering from an opioid overdose. Local educational agency: Medi-Cal billing option (AB 483 — Muratsuchi); CTA co-sponsored. Requires the LEA Billing Option Program guide to include a manual with an explanation of billing, auditing, costs reporting, time studies and federal and state compliance rules, and an explanation of the certified public expenditure processes used to report and reconcile program costs from interim reimbursement to final cost settlement; requires the Department of Health Care Services to distribute an updated program guide to participating LEAs by July 1, 2024. School district governing boards: meetings: school district superintendents and assistant superintendents: termination (SB 494 — Newman); CTA supported. Prohibits the governing board of a school district from taking action to terminate a superintendent or assistant superintendent of the school district, or both, without cause, at a special or emergency meeting of the governing board or within 30 days after the first convening of the governing board after a general election. Continued from Page 34 35 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 / J A N U A R Y 2 0 24 A