[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:05] We have one comment to open, we have one comment to open, we have one comment to open.
[0:13] I'm going to begin meeting, I have a request to speak for Ms. Lynn Guath.
[0:23] Oh, that's before the open session. We're going into closed session right now.
[0:31] It will be done at 7 p.m. whenever everybody's here. This is just our pre-meeting, the closed session.
[0:38] provide these video to the comments, or no?
[0:41] The comments are audio tape.
[0:43] We don't have the videoographer isn't here
[0:45] at this time because it's several hours before the meeting.
[0:49] So they come for the open session.
[0:51] All right.
[0:53] Yeah, whenever, do you start?
[0:55] OK.
[0:56] OK.
[0:58] Good evening.
[0:59] Thank you for allowing these sessions to have the comments.
[1:03] Because for me, it's important.
[1:05] I wish that we had
[1:07] more community here. I am a parent who is no longer with kids in school, they graduated just
[1:15] my last one last year. But I believe that in the future, my involvement is very important
[1:22] as as anybody's parents, because my children may have children one day that are part of the district
[1:30] system. And I think it's important to know what's going on in the community. That being said,
[1:35] I'm also a big believer in just transparency and communication, which is what my public comment is about.
[1:44] I am addressing just the follow-up some request for clarity on the situation of the Barker School teacher that,
[1:52] you know, somebody who she knows felt it was pertinent enough to post what she said about why the flag was in her words half-mast.
[2:03] it was actually supposed to be half staff.
[2:06] So first off, for me, to know you're a fourth grade teacher, you don't know what the difference
[2:10] is of flag being flown properly at half staff.
[2:14] You should know that, meaning now she was clearly heated.
[2:19] Her upset was that the flag was being flown half staff because it was for a nation in morning,
[2:25] but she did not like it coming from the president, who it's clear, she doesn't like who
[2:29] the president is.
[2:29] And that's fine.
[2:31] Many people don't.
[2:32] It's the principles over personalities, long and short, it's been 27 days since the incident
[2:38] involving Allison Meyer on September 10th, and as a concerned community member, I would appreciate
[2:44] an update regarding the status of the matter and the steps that have to be taken by the
[2:50] district since it was brought to everybody's attention in our community. Transparency and accountability
[2:56] are essential to maintaining the trust between the district and the community and every parent who's
[3:01] part of that past and present and future.
[3:04] Please outline which sections of the education code,
[3:08] the district is following in addressing the situation
[3:10] and provide the rationale behind those procedures.
[3:14] Understanding the process and the timeline
[3:16] would help all in the community to be informed
[3:20] and to know that confidently the matters being handled
[3:23] appropriately and in alignment with our district policies
[3:27] and the state law.
[3:28] So I just want to thank you for understanding
[3:30] that I think these things need to be made like a public comment in our social media so big nowadays
[3:36] and I think a lot of us were looking to know what's going on. So, with that, I will yield.
[3:42] Thank you. Anyhow, to request the speech.
[3:48] Not that we're made prior to starting to go that one.
[3:50] Well, I'm here during the public comment time and it's still 505.
[3:55] It had to submit it before. I'm here. I mean, a good faith effort to get here.
[4:00] It seems fair and reasonable.
[4:04] I said public posters, this is, this is the only closed session.
[4:09] There's a police station.
[4:11] Well, if you had to address the ball again at 7 o'clock, then we'll be here at 7 o'clock.
[4:17] Yeah, but you're taking away my ability to speak to the board on an urgent matter.
[4:23] And so we have the rule, we have the real case in case I was here before she finished speaking.
[4:28] But not before obviously, I'm sorry the traffic was heavy, but the other point is you folks should well
[4:35] If you want to know which topic it is is dealing with the litigation
[4:40] That beside a point and had nothing to do with the kind or the employee to dismiss the order
[4:44] What would comply with the regulation that we have in front of us if we open the door we open the door to everyone that will be
[4:51] I was here before I was here before she finished
[4:53] But Mr. Gibbs, you know, as in the regular meetings that, and it says here before the start of the meeting.
[5:00] So this would be the start of the co-session, or be-
[5:02] You know, I think you folks are fair-minded people, generally.
[5:06] I think it would be, I got tied up in traffic.
[5:08] I couldn't control the traffic, but I'm just saying, in reason of illness and in fairness,
[5:14] it's important that the board here from the community, and rather than trying to come up with a reason
[5:19] or reasons to deny people to speak.
[5:22] You should err the on the other side
[5:24] and allow me to address the board for three minutes.
[5:27] Let me consult with the board.
[5:28] And then can I have to, do I have a consent to speak?
[5:32] Anyone who would agree with it, let me speak.
[5:39] I'm okay with it.
[5:40] Table it?
[5:41] No, I'm okay with it.
[5:43] OK, so that one vote.
[5:44] And one else?
[5:47] All right, so.
[5:52] It's, welcome.
[5:52] I want to say something online with the topic.
[5:57] Okay. All right. So now we'll go along with it.
[5:59] So are you doing me to come?
[6:00] Okay. I don't want it to happen every time.
[6:03] I agree. Thank you.
[6:04] Thank you for having a consent to.
[6:06] Thank you for the committee.
[6:07] I'm really sorry to talk about.
[6:08] Okay. Thank you for letting me speak to you this afternoon.
[6:14] First off before I forget, I would encourage this board to record this study sessions
[6:21] because not everybody can be here.
[6:23] Now with regard to the topic on the closed session of and it doesn't say on there, I wish
[6:29] it would did, but if you do have litigation or personnel issues, it would be nice to
[6:36] if you could identify it like the City of Garden Grove does, they'll at least put the case
[6:40] number or what the case is about or who it's against.
[6:45] But I want to address what the previous speaker Lynn had to say.
[6:51] I assume that the dismissal of the employee or taking up the issue of the employee at Barker,
[6:59] the teacher at Barker Elementary School.
[7:01] I'm assuming that that's what this is about.
[7:04] If I'm wrong, correct me.
[7:07] But we have a first amendment right in this country.
[7:11] And the first amendment is being eroded day by day in different ways.
[7:15] And I don't want to see this district be part of the erosion of the first amendment.
[7:20] I don't agree with what everybody says or posts on social media or what they say in public or what they say in private.
[7:27] But I agree that everyone has a right to say it.
[7:30] Without fear of retaliation or negative consequences. Now, I've seen the post, it went, she gave it to her friends in a closed group. One of those people leaked it.
[7:45] The issue is, does somebody have the right when they work for the district to be able to express personal views to a group of personal friends or family, without having it,
[7:58] turn into a retaliatory action by the school district.
[8:03] She did not criticize the school district directly.
[8:05] She was referring to the president saying,
[8:08] it's on for, you know, that she didn't like the flag at half staff
[8:12] or half mass.
[8:14] But the issue is the first amendment here,
[8:18] that I don't think that GGUSD should be complicit
[8:22] or going along with the erosion, because what happens is,
[8:27] people then if there's retaliation then it takes, it chills the first amendment.
[8:33] It means that people aren't going to be free to speak their mind.
[8:38] She spoke or wrote something privately as a private citizen.
[8:45] Not representing the district, yes, she works, she mentioned she works in the district, but
[8:50] she spoke privately and that shouldn't be used as to chill our first amendment right.
[8:56] Again, I don't agree with necessarily what she said or how she said it, but she has the right to say without retaliation.
[9:03] So that's my main thing that you would consider defending the first amendment that you're sworn to uphold.
[9:10] Thank you.
[9:10] Thank you.
[9:11] Any other requests to speak?
[9:13] No, they're in there.
[9:14] Thank you.
[9:14] I'll join the meeting and go into the closest enough.