Letter to the Editor

As a follow up to the Meet the School Board Candidates held on October 3 at the Ocean Park Fire Hall, questions were asked of the candidates. Anna Taft, District 1 current School Board incumbent, described how she was the best candidate because she’s from here, went to school here, and a parent of a current student here. Why wouldn’t we want new, fresh ideas from other high functioning districts in our state that might bring about positive change and new ideas for our students?

Anna Taft was also asked many times about the disconnect between her vote for the nearly $100 million school bond and the resounding “No” vote by her own constituents. This bond would have closed Ocean Park Elementary, our beloved neighborhood school. Why is Anna Taft so out of touch with her voters? Or why would Anna Taft vote “Yes” on a bond that almost none of her voters wanted?

I asked Anna Taft “In your letter to the editor, you said you try to center your decisions around kids. There have been numerous complaints and grievances filed by staff, students, and parents about the bullying and harassing behavior by the superintendent’s husband, who is a current teacher at the high school. When are you making decisions to keep him on as a teacher for kids over keeping a counselor, principal, or a distinguished teacher on staff?” Anna’s stock answer was basically that it’s not her job. However, isn’t it her job, as a sitting, current School Board member to have checks and balances over this superintendent? Yet, she and her four other School Board members have seen repeated complaints by staff and students and repeated disciplinary actions on the superintendent’s husband. It is clear that this superintendent continues to engage in blatant favoritism by keeping and maintaining a teaching contract with her husband-teacher in this District, and this current School Board continues to allow it.

I recently obtained a Public Records Request to receive any and all disciplinary documentation issued by the Ocean Beach School District from January 2020 through July 25, 2023. Within those records was a letter of agreement and disciplinary action taken against the superintendent’s husband. It states, verbatim: “… You have been disciplined for this type of behavior in the past. In fact, you have exhausted most steps of progressive discipline:

1. Coaching/Counseling 2. Verbal Warning 3. Written Warning 4. Letter of Admonishment 5. Letter of Reprimand 6. Suspension without Pay/Demotion 7. Termination … As we have discussed, you understand that if you violate the above directives or otherwise commit further misconduct, you may be subject to further discipline, up to and including termination. …”

I think it’s time to put kids first. And if we are prioritizing what’s best for kids, then this District is well overdue for some fresh ideas and some proven strategies in oversight, transparency, and accountability. That is why my vote continues to be for Mark Mansell for School Board Director for District 1.

Tracey Crook

Ocean Park