Modesto City Schools moves board meeting to Gregori to accommodate crowds

The Modesto City Schools Board has moved its Tuesday meeting to Gregori High to accommodate anticipated crowds protesting treatment of African Americans and stalled teacher contract talks.

A rally planned for 4 p.m. is expected to draw roughly 500 supporting the Modesto Teachers Association, NAACP, Modesto Police Clergy Counsel, the MCS Dr. Parker Committee and Advocates for Justice, a community mentoring and advocacy group.

The groups have joined forces under the “Stop Bullying Behavior!” banner, which will be on T-shirts given away to rally attendees.

The MTA has accused the district of bullying teachers at the bargaining table. What began as African American community concern over high suspension rates of black students has coalesced around an outburst by board President Steve Grenbaux directed at an elderly African American man at the board’s Jan. 19 meeting.

Mack Wilson, who frequently comments at board meetings, had just finished a rambling, five-minute commentary on the need for more African American representation on the board.

“I wish y’all were doing a better job than you’ve been doing,” Wilson told the board. “We got kids, they need role models, too.” After Grenbeaux repeatedly interrupted him, telling him to stay on topic, Wilson concluded by saying, “You’re president up there, but you’re not the president of me.”

As Wilson left the podium, Grenbeaux called out, “I would remind you there are at least six Christian men and women up here. And you are not the only Vietnam vet and you’re not the only man who – sit down!” Grenbeaux stopped mid-sentence, demanding others sit down as well as audience outrage swelled.

“They have a problem with implicit racism in this district and it comes from right there,” Jacq Wilson, son of Mack Wilson, commented at the time.

Longtime board member Cindy Marks interceded, asking Grenbeaux to apologize and saying she apologizes on his behalf when he refused. “That was out of line,” she said. “I believe we are all here for the right reasons, but that was inappropriate, the way that was handled, and I ask that you give us some grace.”

Jacq Wilson and twin brother Jacque Wilson, founders of Advocates for Justice, were scheduled to speak later that night, asking the board to take a number of steps to lower above-average discipline numbers for African American students. Jacq Wilson addressed Grenbeaux’s outburst later in the meeting, saying it was disrespectful and reminiscent of racist attitudes his father contended with in the 1960s.

At a later meeting, Grenbeaux said he was offended by Mack Wilson saying the board did not have God in their hearts and felt compelled to respond.

The flier sent out by Advocates For Justice for Tuesday’s meetings calls on everyone who has been bullied to watch the video link of that meeting. “If you are tired of being told to ‘Sit down!’ to injustice, disrespect and people who abuse their power while acting under the color of their office and during their official duties, you should watch the attached video link,” the communique says.

Grenbeaux’s actions at the meeting discourages community members from voicing their concerns, the flier says, “and are creating a racially hostile and offensive school board environment.”

The Advocates For Justice are scheduled to speak again Tuesday night. Modesto Teachers representatives generally speak during the initial period for public comment.

First, however, the board will recognize Davis High teacher Lindsey Bird, coordinator for the Language Institute program serving recent immigrants. Bird was one of five 2015 Carlston Family Foundation Outstanding Teachers of America, earning a $5,000 prize for the school. The program also won the California School Boards Association Gold Bell Award this year. Trustees also will recognize 11 teachers earning regional and district awards.

On tap for discussion and action during the board meeting:

▪  A presentation on improving teacher and principal collaboration at schools. Leverage Learning Group trainings began last fall, focusing on empowering leadership teams at all school sites, according to a presentation prepared for the board.

▪  A report on transitional kindergarten will be given. The district has eight classes of the early learning classes for youngsters turning 5 between Sept. 2 and Dec. 2 of each year. They then join regular kindergarten the following year, showing greatly improved school skills, according to the report.

▪  Discuss a Jan. 6 fire that badly damaged the Hanshaw Middle School gym and destroyed two storage buildings. The early estimate of damage is $300,000, with the district paying a $100,000 deductible and its insurer covering the rest.

This story was originally published February 8, 2016 at 6:21 PM with the headline "Modesto City Schools moves board meeting to Gregori to accommodate crowds."