Pajaro Valley teachers may have to limit the way they present controversial topics under a motion to be considered by the Pajaro Unified School District Board of Trustees Wednesday.
If approved, District Policy 6144 regarding “Controversial Issues” would require that subject matter and guest speakers, among other things, strictly adhere to the course of study.
The policy, which in its original iteration has been in place since 2009, would further require teachers to “consult with the Superintendent or designee as necessary to determine the appropriateness of the subject matter.”
It would also require the teachers introducing a controversial viewpoint to bring in an opposing one.
That’s a concern for Trustee Gabe Medina, who says on his Substack page that it could mean that topics without scientific consensus are presented to students.
“If a teacher invites a community organizer to speak about the impacts of ICE raids, would they be forced to invite an ICE officer to ‘balance’ the discussion?,” Medina asks.
The issue is in the consent agenda, which typically contains items expected to be passed without discussion. But it will almost certainly be pulled for an in-depth debate.
It came to the board after local activist Omar Dieguez—who embarked on a 30-day hunger strike in September against Driscoll’s and California Giant Berry to protest their use of dangerous pesticides—was invited by Watsonville High School social studies teacher Bobby Pelz to speak about his cause.
As part of the presentation, Dieguez invited Driscoll’s to join him. But the district office cancelled his appearance without warning the night before.
Pelz says he was not given a reason for the decision, only that district officials discovered “unforeseen information” that would prevent Dieguez from being on school campuses.
“I’m frustrated, because I believe this pesticide information is really important for our students and their families,” Pelz told The Pajaronian. “When it comes to their safety and their health, there is nothing controversial about it. I wish the district would have more courage in doing right by our students.”
The district has since fielded calls from parents who said they were concerned about body image and depression issues that may have arisen when discussing the hunger strike, says PVUSD spokesman Alejandro Chavez.
The policy, Chavez says, “ensures that all educational content aligns with district standards and state regulations while supporting an inclusive and respectful learning environment.”
“PVUSD is committed to providing high-quality, equitable educational experiences for every student,” he said. “The updated policy clarifies expectations for instructional materials and student participation, reinforcing our dedication to academic excellence, inclusivity, and transparency.”
The updates also give parents the opportunity to opt their children out of certain topics, Chavez said.
In that way, he said, the policy would “balance the rights of parents and maintain the professional integrity of teachers.”
But Medina says that allowing the Superintendent to ban topics they deem too controversial is a concerning move that concentrates power in the wrong place.
“These decisions would no longer go before the school board or the public,” he says. “The power to shape discussion would move from the classroom to the superintendent’s office.”
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The PVUSD Board of Trustees will meet at 6pm Wednesday in the Watsonville City Council Chambers on the 4th floor of the Civic Plaza Building at 275 Main Street.
