SUSD Board President Cooper Under Fire for Alleged Brown Act Violation

Recent Controversy Sheds Light on School District's Safety Concerns and Lack of Communication

Saugus Union Board President Katherine Cooper has come under scrutiny for a potential violation of the Brown Act, after writing a letter condemning fellow board member Anna Griese for reading a parent's account of an incident at Northpark Elementary where a student became belligerent and violent, but the school would not allow authorities to be called. This incident raises serious questions about the district's policies and handling of dangerous situations.

Local resident Steve Petzold expressed concerns about Cooper's letter in a comment on The Signal's article. Petzold questioned how Cooper could speak on behalf of the board without violating the Brown Act, which prohibits board members from making decisions outside of public meetings. He also suggested that the issue should have been put on the agenda for a special meeting, giving the public proper notice and in accordance with the law. The reading of a prepared letter by President Cooper appears to be a Brown Act violation. If extended comment by a trustee was to be presented, it should have been an agenda item. It is not allowed for any trustee to make extended comment on any item brought up during the public comment-item not on the agenda. How did President Cooper determine that her comment reflected the opinions of other board members? Was there a serial meeting Brown Act violation? The President should call for a special meeting and put this item directly on the agenda giving the public the notice to the public and the press notice consistent with the law. The public was blindsided by the district.

This incident is just one of many that have sparked concern in the Saugus Union School District. Concerned parents have expressed frustration with the district's handling of various incidents, which have put students at risk, including:

• A child at Skyblue who threw chairs and desks. Superintendent Colleen Hawkins claimed it never happened to a parent's face, despite parents reporting otherwise.

• A child at Helmers who threatened another child and brought a weapon to school. The parents had to contact the principal, who suggested moving their child to another school.

• THC edibles being used on Bridgeport, which took weeks for Hawkins to inform parents about. This caused the incident to get conflated to the point that people were saying it was fentanyl.

• Allowing kids to show up to school despite a dead body on the basketball courts that was covered with a tarp.

Parents and teachers alike are deeply concerned with the district's lack of communication and apparent disregard for student safety. The district's Superintendent, Colleen Hawkins, has been accused of being dismissive of concerns and too quick to appeal to her own authority, which is seen as a sign of a toxic culture within the district headquarters. It is worth noting that Hawkins blocked parents from Saugus Union's Twitter and Facebook when she took over as SUSD Superintendent. Despite this, none of the "concerned" citizens scolding Anna Griese about a potential lawsuit showed up to criticize Hawkins for her actions back then. This has led some to question the seriousness of those attacking Griese and the district's priorities. We will write more about Hawkins' blocking of parents in another post. Teachers who question district policies and actions are allegedly reprimanded, while parent communication is minimal at best.

There have also been claims that Councilmember Griese violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) by reading the parent's account. However, this claim appears to be unfounded, as Griese redacted all names from the account. Education records include "student discipline files," according to the US Department of Education. Additionally, the student made such a big scene that the entire school was disrupted, raising serious privacy concerns. Parents were not even allowed to come to the front door to pick up their children, and we were all supposed to ignore the issue. People are seeing problematic recurring themes where soulless bureaucrats like Hawkins get to tell us everything is fine and check your privilege. We have a big problem here folks.

It's clear that the Saugus Union School District needs to take a hard look at its policies and communication with parents and teachers. The district's handling of these incidents has raised serious concerns about student safety and the ability of the district to respond to dangerous situations. Parents and teachers alike are calling for increased transparency and communication from the district.

One thing that could help is increased training and support for teachers and staff, especially when it comes to dealing with violent or disruptive students. Teachers need to feel safe and supported in their classrooms, and they need to know that they have the tools and resources to handle difficult situations. Similarly, staff members should be empowered to call for help when they need it, rather than having to wait for permission from a superintendent who may not be on-site.

The district should also be more proactive about communicating with parents, both about safety incidents and other matters. This could involve regular town hall meetings or other forums where parents can ask questions and voice their concerns. It could also involve more frequent updates on the district's website and social media pages.

Ultimately, the safety and well-being of Saugus Union School District students should be the top priority for everyone involved. This means taking a hard look at policies, increasing communication and transparency, and providing the resources and support that teachers and staff need to keep students safe. Only by working together can we ensure that our children receive the education they deserve in a safe and nurturing environment.