Student movement spreads misinformation

By Geoffrey St. John
Photo Editor

One of the defining elements of Costa is the incredibly high level of student involvement in upper-level affairs. In recent years, students have raised their voices on a dynamic range of issues, ranging from unweighted grades to the pink-slipping of some of their favorite teachers. Recently, Dr. Dale’s recommendation not to rehire Timothy Hirsh, a key member of the French Department, has come under fire from students and parents alike, and has raised the level of involvement of new levels. Whether or not that advocacy is effective is the center of an entirely separate issue.

Students past and present have united and spoken out against the Manhattan Beach Unified School District and Dale’s decision, using forums such as Facebook, district board meetings, and “walk-outs” during school hours. Leaders of the initiative, colloquially known as the ‘Save Hirsh’ Movement have gained an impressive following on Facebook, where the group they’ve created now has upwards of 400 members. By using social media as a tool to spread their message, events like a student ‘walkout’ were effectively planned and executed, and subsequently led to increased police presence and media attention. This ‘walkout’ came on the heels of the MBUSD Board’s choice not to vote to overturn their prior decision not to renew Hirsh’s contract.

While commendable that so many young activists have made a presence at district board meetings, which aren’t known for their entertainment value, there is a significant amount of misinformation being circulated among the students involved in the ‘Save Hirsh’ movement.

Given the chance for a three-minute public comment during the district board meeting on March 18, over 30 students and parents addressed the MBUSD board. While some chose to share meaningful stories about how Hirsh has reached them in the classroom, others elected to take their opportunity to speak in a different direction. Several launched into disrespectful tirades directed towards the Board of Trustees or Dale.

While MBUSD has diligently heard dozens of opinions and comments on the matter, the bottom line is that the decision not to keep Hirsh on the district payroll was completely within Dale’s jurisdiction. In addition to the growing disrespect towards the administration being demonstrated by some students, there is a lack of understanding of the concept of a probationary teacher. After two full years at a school, educators are granted tenure, making it nearly impossible to be terminated.

Up until that point, however, MBUSD reserves the right to remove a probationary teacher at any point, with minimal reasoning required. If there is doubt over whether or not a probationary teacher will become a valuable long term employee, it is within Dale’s authority to act on the matter. Before allowing a teacher to continue on as a tenured member of the Costa faculty, he has a responsibility to ensure that they are going to be a capable employee for what could potentially be decades to come.

Multiple teachers have also begun to take offense towards the movement. They feel as though students and parents referring to Hirsh as ‘the best teacher in Costa’s history’ is dismissive to the hundreds of other hardworking, dedicated teachers past and present. According to Costa English teacher Stacy Cabrera, while it is understandable that some hyperbole might be required to drive activists’ point home, these statements diminish the dedication of many others, which is only counterproductive and hurtful.

Students currently in classes taught by Hirsh have also expressed recently that he has shown frustration towards the attention directed towards him. While the recent spotlight he’s found himself in might be frustrating, it appears hypocritical that after urging students to get involved in the fight against his termination, his classes have now been disrupted by the stress being caused to him by the newfound attention.

Although the amount of passion and energy students have put into saving one of their favorite teachers is admirable, their spirit is brought down considerably by misinformation and a small group of ill-mannered individuals. To say that the entire ‘Save Hirsh’ group is disrespectful or misguided would be a gross overstatement, but the cause they are working so hard to support is definitely clouded by the classic dilemma in which a small group of negativity largely overshadows a substantial group of positivity. This unfortunate situation has a consequential reach however, and essentially renders the movement ineffective.