Home Oakley Oops: Open Mic at Oakley Union Elementary School District Board Meeting

Oops: Open Mic at Oakley Union Elementary School District Board Meeting

by ECT

On Wednesday, the Oakley Union Elementary School District Board of Education held its meeting which board members believed they were closed to the public only to later realize the meeting was open after freely expressing several opinions.

In roughly an 8-minute video which was captured by a listener, it highlighted how the board was looking at not only limiting public comments, but shed light on how some of the board members may feel about the public.

 

 

In an open dialogue between Trustees Richie Masadas and Kim Beede, Masadas explained how easy it was for people to talk behind a screen but when face to face it’s a whole different ballgame.

Beede shot back asking “if they were alone” which was told they were and proceeded to state “bitch if you are going to call me out I am going to f—k you up” which prompted laughter from the board.

Trustee Lisa Brizendine chimed in explaining how the public forget that they are real people on the other side of the letters and have kids or who have a vested interest in this or what happens behind the scenes because “they want their babysitters back” — referring to teachers babysitting students.

This prompted a “right” from the other board members with Masadas talking about his brother having a delivery service for medical marijuana and clientele with their kids in school—which again, prompted laughs from the board with one board member calling it “awesome”.

Masadas continued saying “when you have your kids at home, no more Friday” and began quoting from the movie Friday “smoke dog”

At about the 7:30 minute mark, the Board realized the meeting was open to the public before cutting the video.

In response, many parents have began calling for the resignations of board members, they have started an online petition calling for the board to resign or be recalled.

An email into Superintendent Greg Hetrick has not been returned at time of publication.

You may also like

45 comments

Bill Moon Feb 17, 2021 - 11:27 pm

If I am a parent in this District I am pulling my kid by Friday if at least 3 board members do not resign.

Justin Ruegg Feb 18, 2021 - 12:49 am

I have been in and around the city of Oakley for 40 years. As a child growing up, as a resident as an adult and as part of a major local retail store in the city. What I witnessed was absolutely disgusting. These people hold an office that is supposed to teach and protect and guide children, and everyone involved needs severe discipline AND immediate resignation. And I will definitely not hide behind the keyboard, I will say it loud and in public. Thankfully, my child will not be attending school in this district.

So what Feb 18, 2021 - 1:27 am

Do it Bill!! Nobody cares!
People are so Fn sensitive nowadays. All these haters will talk tk talk. But try serving on A board like this. Alll the whiners test your patience. So the board members talked a little trash. Big deal!!
Let them apologize and move-on people!!
Why would we waste the time and money to try to recall them or replace them?
The biggest babies in this will be lBiden supporters and just look at all the dumb shut that moron has said and done!!

Robert C. Feb 18, 2021 - 5:17 am

So they whine and want sympathy for being expect to perform the job that they sought? Voters, get your brooms out and get ready to sweep out the status quo at the OUESD Board.

DC Feb 18, 2021 - 5:17 am

We teach our kids to speak up. If you see something, to say something. It’s odd to me that no one intervened and told these members that they were being inappropriate. Yes, everyone is human and we make mistakes. When you do, you need to own up to them and be better. There’s no “I’m sorry” and moving on from here. The people in this district will never trust some (if not all) of these board members again. How absolutely sad.

Teacher (babysitter) Feb 18, 2021 - 5:17 am

I’m a teacher in the area. The school board members are right though. A lot of parents suck.

Jaimoe Feb 18, 2021 - 7:15 am

I imagine this happens daily, in the highest offices.

DC Feb 18, 2021 - 7:15 am

TEACHER(BABYSITTER),
We are in a pandemic. People are struggling. Many are stretched to their absolute limits. I prefer to believe that parents are trying their best, just like I assume teachers are. I hope none of my children never meet you let alone are in one of your classes. Your judgement is sad and concerning.

Patrick t Pratt Feb 18, 2021 - 7:24 am

Shame on you OUESD and Mr H to condone this language and behavior from your board members I am outraged as a parent in this district your paid by taxes and work for students and parents in this community

Shannon wright Feb 18, 2021 - 7:46 am

Oh Geezus. I watched all 8 painful minutes of that, and nothing was out of the ordinary of what typical coworkers say to each other. Grow up people. Stop being offended by everything

Nick Feb 18, 2021 - 7:48 am

Hey “Teach” –
You parasite. Sucking on the public trough. So, if its just cool to have the kids online, you know, we can just fire all but a few teachers. Hold a competition for the best online teachers, and dump the rest of your sorry asses.

Maybe we can rehire you to grade papers. At the new minimum wage.

Doesn't Matter Feb 18, 2021 - 7:57 am

It’s so easy for elected officials to not care when they’re getting paid and still go to work on our tax paying dollars during a pandemic. For them to view teachers and parents that way is insensitive towards the people who put them in office in the first place. A lot of students are struggling mentally and academically because they are not in classrooms. Students who are low income are not able to get the food they usually get from school. There are parents who are struggling economically who either don’t have a job, or have to stay home all the time to take care of their kids. But these politicians obviously don’t care. What’s worse is that they’re not even smart enough to know how technology works because they thought the meeting was private. What a joke. They’re corrupt and stupid.

Don't Matter Feb 18, 2021 - 8:02 am

Edit: They want to write parents off as wanting their babysitters back, but it’s deeper than that.

Don't Matter Feb 18, 2021 - 8:05 am

It’s so easy for elected officials to not care when they’re getting paid and still go to work on our tax paying dollars during a pandemic. For them to view teachers and parents that way is insensitive towards the people who put them in office in the first place. They want to write parents off as wanting their babysitters back, but it’s deeper than that. A lot of students are struggling mentally and academically because they are not in classrooms. Students who are low income are not able to get the food they usually get from school. There are parents who are struggling economically who either don’t have a job, or have to stay home all the time to take care of their kids. But these politicians obviously don’t care. What’s worse is that they’re not even smart enough to know how technology works because they thought the meeting was private. What a joke. They’re corrupt and stupid. What’s even worse is that they’re going to come out and say how they didn’t mean what they said, and they apologize for it. Rather than admitting how they really feel. They’re not even brave enough to stand by what they say, just watch how they’re going to come after this.

Rusty Feb 18, 2021 - 8:11 am

I love how some people have taken the opportunity to politicize this incident. I agree that these board members have a rough job and I also agree that parents can be overwhelming if not flat out rude. But this is your job and you signed up for it. If you. Ant handle the demands of said job, then quit. And by the way, not everyone talks like this in the work place. We don’t all work in those type of jobs. Stop politicizing this and Rec organize the fact that these members are are acting inappropriately.

General Pinochet Feb 18, 2021 - 8:12 am

Oh yes the aparatchik school teachers..the ones who couldn’t make it in the real world..the ones that work nine months of the year..the ones who get calpers retirement benefits at 100 percent of their salary..the ones whom are 98 percent liberal democrats..the ones always complaining about wages and lobbying for more taxpayers money to waste..is it any wonder the American schools are ranked out of the top 25 in the world in math and science…oh I am sure they are # 1 in wokeness..white guilt and social justice…Oakley parents get in the faces of these bolshevik school board members..in public…shame them…when I was running chile we provided the teachers union agitators with free helicopter rides

April Feb 18, 2021 - 8:26 am

Why has there been no public apology? Also, I understand people want these board members to resign, but really it was just Beede who should resign. I was told that if the majority of the board does resign then there is no quorum and kids really wouldn’t be going back to school for a while as they would not have the ability to make any decisions without at least 3 board members.

c Feb 18, 2021 - 9:02 am

Its great how cancel culture for being non pc is okay when the shoe is on the other foot

Oakley tax payer and voter Feb 18, 2021 - 9:37 am

All my children are grown and no longer live at home so I don’t need any “babysitting” services, but I sure as hell will be remembering to vote all these members off the board when the time comes. Completely unprofessional and not worth my tax dollars for you to spend time behaving like that. I can’t behave that way at my job, I would get fired because I’m being paid to do my job and be professional while I do it. We have no standards expected of anyone anymore. The board was not on their own time at a bbq, they were at work. Employers dime is employers time and expected behavior. Your time to talk and behave how you want is when your not on the job. Of course it is nice to know how you all truly feel however so your butts can be replaced. Pretty sure you didn’t put these sentiments on your candidate statements in our voter information pamphlets. I have children that are now in their 30s and 40s, if I found out they behaved like any of you I would feel like a failure as a parent. No one holds anyone accountable anymore or appears to have any integrity. Integrity is doing what is right even when no one can see or hear you. I figure the definition is needed since it is rarely seen now a days. Anyone defending them is part of the problem.

Eddy Feb 18, 2021 - 11:04 am

I live in Brentwood and I hope the board here does not feel the same. Teachers have not had to suffer financial hardship while parents have in many cases. If they believe parents view them as babysitters, we should pay them that way. Teachers sought the jobs they have and are using this to their full advantage. There is no scientific reason to keep schools closed at all. The CDC has said so, thousands of students across the country in open districts have also proven there is no outbreak tied to schools. It’s time for them to get back to work like so many other workers have had to do throughout this pandemic.

JENNIFER Feb 18, 2021 - 11:38 am

I understand that people in every profession “talk trash” behind the scenes. When you deal with something day in and day out, there is a certain amount of venting that happens amongst coworkers. It’s like a pressure release process that helps you go on. But the problem with THIS particular incident is that it now seems that the board has delayed and delayed and delayed considering any sort of a re-opening out of crass, non-sympathetic, illegitimate and possibly even vindictive reasoning. That is the problem. From day one I have felt this board is being very WEAK on their inability to even consider various alternatives and instead, opting time and time again, to just keep all doors closed, and to keep pushing the reconsideration dates back again and again. I thought it was just weakness and lack of tenacity. I wasn’t pleased with it, but I wasn’t appalled either. But now I feel like we have had a peek under the covers and see that it is just that they don’t WANT to reopen, and that they find their schools’ students and families to be annoying pests. This is where the problem lies for me, as a parent of two children in OUESD. Look all around California and see so many examples of schools that are at least TRYING to reopen (if not totally reopening), and as yourself WHY has OUESD time and time again really not taken the discussion very far? I realize not all board members spoke in this manner,BUT they were clearly in like company as nobody stopped them, disagreed with them or even tried to redirect them. And there were plenty of chuckles and smug smiles to go around. Very disappointed in our school board, to say the very least. And I am not someone you would ever call an over reactor or dramatic; I am quite the opposite actually, surprised by very little. THIS… surprised me, in all the wrong ways.

Nothing To See Here Feb 18, 2021 - 11:48 am

I have teachers in my family . Before we throw the baby out with the bath water why is not anyone asking questions . Like “ why do they feel like they are babysitters?” . Give them an opportunity to explain themselves. Quite possibly we all could learn something about the life of a teacher .Why must we cancel them ? The punishment should fit the crime. They should apologize publicly over zoom, and deal with the fall out from their poor behavior. Maybe they will do better moving forward, maybe some won’t be able to handle the pressure and quit.
To be honest I didn’t hear anything I have not heard before from educators and anyone that works with children. Just bc someone has children doesn’t meant they are actually parenting. I’ll be the first one to admit my kids teachers have been sort of like secondary childcare providers. Pre-COVID my kids spent a lot time at school ,just as adults spend a lot time at work. My kids teachers during online learning have been part of my kids being connected to something. I’m thankful they have been there to talk with my kids etc. I have to work , both my husband and I are essential workers. The shelter in place did not apply to our jobs. It was either work or have no job.
I’m just having a hard time judging ppl for what they say amongst coworkers. If ppl knew what most of us talk about behind the scene nobody would have a job …everybody would be cancelled(Myself included). Maybe this shows me I need to be a tad more thoughtful about the conversations I have at work when I think nobody is listening.
I understand ppl want kids back in school but some teachers don’t feel safe. Who am I to decide for someone what they should expose themselves to. As a nation we will deal with the educational gaps and throw huge dollars at trying to get kids caught up. All this infighting , and being outraged over everything literally solves nothing. All we’re doing is making it harder for when we are all able to resume life to be able look at each other and be around one another . In final I’ll be the first one to say every now and again there is that person you encounter out in life you do want to f$@& up!!! Teachers are ppl not Mother Teresa

JENNIFER Feb 18, 2021 - 12:08 pm

To “Nothing to Say Here”… I think this is not at all about our teachers. It is about our OUESD Board. It was not our teachers talking this way for the whole community to hear. It was our board members. They are there to serve the interests of the schools, teachers, students, families, etc. They belittled our fabulous teachers when they referred to them as babysitters. While I’m sure some teachers feel this way some times, I think most teachers look at their own profession and skill with more dignity than that. Most of us are pissed of FOR our teachers in addition to being so disappointed for our children. The board answers to us, works for us, not the other way around. It is appropriate to be jaded over this conversation. And it’s not about cancelling… it’s about WHY have they time and again decided not to even consider reopening? And maybe we see ulterior motives here.

925worker Feb 18, 2021 - 12:09 pm

This shouldn’t surprise anybody. These are the people to work at your schools. Drug dealers and foul mouths with no regard to the tax payers opinion. Keep up the good work.

Oakley Resident Feb 18, 2021 - 12:35 pm

@nothing to see here

I beg to differ. There is a lot to see here. The first thing that stuck out to me is their lack of professionalism. These people are not coworkers they are elected representatives that should put their personal feelings aside about other parents and do what is best for the children.

The most important part that I think everyone is missing is that while the schools are closed and the district is receiving their full ADA (Average Daily Attendance) money there is no hurry to reopen the schools. They have reduced their overhead expenses (Utility costs, bus services, cafeteria overhead, building maintenance, etc) but are still getting the dollars from the state. I am also very well aware that the major costs to all school districts are salaries. However, all the non-salary expenditures have decreased resulting in a net profit to their bottom line.

Eddy Feb 18, 2021 - 12:36 pm

Many workers have had to work through the pandemic. Grocery workers for instance are in just as much, or more contact with the public. Everybody makes mistakes but not one of the culprits in this video has apologized for anything. Accountability comes before anything else. We pay for teachers regardless whether they are in school or not and if they feel like babysitters, that is their issue to deal with. It doesn’t really matter. They have a job to do and they aren’t doing it right now. These board members are elected by the community to lead, not behave like children when it comes to doing their job. There is no excuse for their behavior, stop rationalizing it.

Chris Bray Feb 18, 2021 - 12:59 pm

If their defense is that they thought they were meeting privately before opening the meeting to the public, then their claim is that they thought they were deliberately violating the Brown Act. The DA should investigate this school board’s regular meeting practices — do they often meet privately in secret pre-public meetings?

Jim Feb 18, 2021 - 1:51 pm

I agree. I thought boards were not supposed to discuss business in private and here they are talking (in what they think is private) about changing the way to handle public comments.

Arika Ragsdale Feb 18, 2021 - 2:09 pm

Agreed with all your points.
I say hold an open zoom meeting and ask these ppl what they meant by everything they said. Even the weed comment and ask why that was a relevant topic of conversation.
I just feel we don’t talk anymore about our grievances and when we call out people we don’t give give them an opportunity to answer for their poor behavior. For me I would like to ask questions before I decided if there is or is not a pathway for these people to redeem themselves and do the work they were asked to do.
I would hope ppl would show me a bit of mercy when I royally mess up. It’s not excusing what they did, just giving a person a chance to own up to it and fix it . I know I live in a glass house , that is why I am reluctant to be so quick to throw stones.

OUESD Parent Feb 18, 2021 - 2:36 pm

I love how Hetrick gives us his home address. Now we know where to send our “babysitting” requests, etc.

Tina P Feb 18, 2021 - 2:47 pm

I know 3 out of 4 of the people on this video. They are very caring and thoughtful people, that really do care about your kids and the system. The majority of parents want their kids in school, which is understandable BUT we are in the middle of a pandemic. If your kids go back to school now and pass the virus to the teachers, well….they could die. Most are not able to fight off the virus like kids do. Some kids are struggling, some parents are struggling so we must work together. I know you want your kids out of the house and have a sense of normalcy. Have faith in these individuals, because I know they are VERY good people.

GENERAL PINOCHET Feb 18, 2021 - 5:12 pm

Well Tina P…the nazis were good people too..right?

GENERAL PINOCHET Feb 18, 2021 - 5:23 pm

Nothing to see here…oh please the aparatchik unionized teachers work 9 months of the year get every holiday off honoring tom dick and harry..get fantastic health benefits and get retirement perks that only the Rabal..private sector could dream of..

Private sector people have lost jobs..have suffered and in some cases committed suicide during the pandemic…and I have to hear about the pobrecita teachers??

DC Feb 18, 2021 - 6:13 pm

Tina P,
I hear what you’re saying. I know one of these folks very well too and am surprised at their comments. Sometimes enough is enough. I’m not going to pretend that people don’t gripe in private, however, some of the actions displayed tell me that these folks are tired of being on the board. They think we view teachers as babysitters, and then lash out and tell us not to f with them? Unfortunately, that’s what many saw and won’t forget. They’re elected officials and should remain professional.

Kids are struggling academically, emotionally, and physically. The depression from being stuck in the house for nearly a year has taken its toll. Unfortunately not every child has attentive, kind, compassionate parents. School is a safe haven for them. These events will have lasting impacts on everyone. Lots of other districts have figured out how to make this happen. I know Oakley can figure it out too.

Bravo Feb 18, 2021 - 6:40 pm

It’s about time parents are standing up for their kids. Back then parents always stood with the teacher as “teachers are always right”. If only we had parents likes this in the past! I hope this continues……

GENERAL PINOCHET Feb 18, 2021 - 9:34 pm

Eddy….good post..but the entitled teachers most likely snicker at the poor parents who are going through financial hell..teachers are the most pampered public employees of them all..you can bet these teachers support antifa…black lives matter..and advocate police lose their jobs..they make me sick

Ray Feb 18, 2021 - 11:19 pm

Oakley is famous….Nice job School board members! But the upside clearly is all about the Oakley marijuana companies.

Oakley Resident Feb 19, 2021 - 4:35 am

@Tina P Overdramatic much? Returning to the classroom is not going to cause any teacher to die if they take the proper precautions like everyone else. Maintain their social distance, wash their hands, wear their face coverings. You know, like what every other person who is actually working right now is doing.

If a teacher feels that they cannot return to the classroom and do their JOB then let them opt-out (without pay of course). The way you make it sound is that these teachers are much more fragile than the health care workers, retail workers, first responders, service workers, and everyone else that is actually working at this time.

A few of my neighbors that are teachers do not look that fragile to me. I see them out on walks, riding their bikes, grocery shopping, at the Home Improvement stores, and so on. If everyone else can continue to work why are they so different? Could it possibly be that the longer the teachers stay home the better off the district will be financially?

Irene Vanmeter Feb 19, 2021 - 5:27 am

Fire everyone of these ignorant people. Open up the Schools .If you are a teacher and you do not want to open the schools .You will be for d on the solo .Close all the unions down .Come on parents who’s more important your child’s education or these arrogant POS .that are laughing at you .Stand up .

These are not teachers Feb 19, 2021 - 6:44 am

These are Board Members and NOT teachers!!

Gus Feb 19, 2021 - 10:51 am

All the A-HOLES on the Board SHALL RESIGN. Fifty two percent (52%) of my property taxes are going to schools. If the teachers believe they are “babysitters” then we are paying them too much to baby sit. I want my property taxes refunded!! Enough is Enough

Gus Feb 19, 2021 - 10:54 am

Board a-holes who make decisions. They are a good example of what is wrong with California Public Schools. All should resign.

Sayinit Likeitis Feb 19, 2021 - 7:13 pm

“B*, I’ll f* you up” says it all!” Kim Beede…charming…very Maury Povich/Jerry Springer.

Poor kids of Oakley! Stuck at home maybe with loving parents or maybe with druggies and Kim Beede says she doesn’t want to hear from parents. Why would any parent want a thug or her thug enablers on the school board? They all need to step down and grow up.

GENERAL PINOCHET Feb 20, 2021 - 10:54 am

Kim Beede’s son who attends Cal Poly Pomona was on Facebook taking S***, like he was a tough guy..when I ran Chile..guys like him would urinate down their pants …if one of my soldiers confronted him during his communist protests..mom and son S***birds of a feather

LT Feb 20, 2021 - 10:45 pm

Pull your kids if they don’t resign? If you loved your kids you’d be home schooling, because the CA curriculum is a joke. Don’t worry about these resigned goofs, look in the mirror. You are willing to send kids to the CA cesspool called public schools? Sorry taking control of their education is an inconvenience, but you can’t seriously believe CA schools do anything good.

Comments are closed.