Dismissive attitude is part of the problem

The kind of attitude expressed in the article written by Wendy Leece (Parents talk back, “TeWinkle investigation,” Oct. 4) about the TeWinkle investigation is the attitude that lead to the complaint that, in the year 2000, brought the state and federal Office of Civil Rights to investigate the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. It found 11 violations, not only at TeWinkle but districtwide.

Coincidentally, Leece was one of the Newport-Mesa school board members at the time of the complaint and one of the board members who decided not to listen and resolve the problem. Not a single board member responded to the complaint. The board members are elected officials, who are been entrusted with the education of our children. The board members are the ones who are expected to enforce the codes, to make policies and to ensure that every child is receiving the education to which they are entitled.

It is their responsibility to make sure that the people in administrative and leadership positions are doing their job. In order for board members to be effective they have to visit the schools, observe the classrooms, talk to the administrators to find out if they are doing their job. They should determine the needs of the schools and find ways to fulfill those needs. Is not enough to attend the meetings and community celebrations. They should put themselves to work and stop making decisions based on perceptions. They always hold the parents and the teachers accountable along with everyone else. They are also accountable for the problems that exist by not doing their homework.

Many schools are facing challenges that teachers are unable to handle due to the lack of support. Many classes don’t have enough books for every student; there are classes with no curriculum; and there is insufficient training. Many of these issues are not related only to the English learners but to all students.

Leece mentioned in her article that I should have worked with district officials at all levels to solve the problem. It is not up to me to solve the problems. I am not the one in charge. But, it is up to me and those with values to bring the problems to the ones who are in the position to resolve them.

Also, I had worked with all levels for two years. I tried, without any results, first at the site level, then with the district officials and later with the board. Phone calls were never returned; letters were ignored; meetings ended without solutions.

Every letter I sent also was sent to the board members, but I got no response. First I called the state, and the district ignored the state mandates. I had to file an appeal and later to make contact with the federal office. It was the federal Office of Civil Rights that was able to make the district respond and fix the problem.

After signing the agreement among district officials, the state and the Office of Civil Rights, the civil rights office would monitor the district for more then four years. The district has responded and now has improved the program for the English learners. They must keep making efforts to integrate our Costa Mesa population into the system.

The amount of work that has been done is amazing. We have people in the Newport-Mesa educational system who care about every child, but also we have people, with attitudes similar to Leece’s, who make the process difficult and create obstructions.

Spanish-speaking parents now have the opportunity to participate and voice their concerns, but it looks like this participation bothers some individuals. There is a perception that these parents don’t care and don’t make efforts to get involved. I would like to invite Leece, and anybody else, to come to the District English Learner Advisory Committee meetings that are held at the district office and observe how involved the parents are and how much they care about their children’s education.

I don’t know where Leece received her information about the participation of La Raza, Mecha, and Maldef working behind scenes. I have my own will, and have never been manipulated for anyone. I don’t even know of the existence of two of the three organizations she mentioned.

In regards to having time to file a complaint, yes I have a lot of time -- having my own business, I have the time to do what I feel is needed in my community.

My children are not English learners. The three of them are proudly bilingual. My oldest graduated from high school and is attending college. My other two are high school students, very involved in many activities, including sports and community services, and are doing very well.

And yes, voicing concerns is the right and the duty of every concerned individual.

In regards to her question, “Were these parents doing everything they could to teach their children English and support their children in school?” Parents are parents, no matter their race or their background, and do what they can within their abilities. The challenges are different for everyone. These parents do not have the English-language skills to help their children with their school work.

Regarding this new complaint, I did work with the school administrator, the assistant superintendent, who is not longer at the district, and with the parents. Several meetings were held with Jaime Castellanos and the principal. Nothing happened.

It’s time for them to learn that ignoring the problem will not make the problem to go away. Castellanos was the district administrator in charge who dealt with the first and the second complaint. He was one of those who caused the federal government to come and investigate, due to his inability to solve the problems. We can see how administrators are coming and going, moving from one school to another, going to newly created positions when the district doesn’t know how to deal with the problems that these administrators are creating. It is time for the board members to also be accountable for the district’s problems.

* MIRNA BURCIAGA is a Costa Mesa resident.