Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) is investigating Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Dr. Tom Stekol, for making inappropriate comments at a professional development meeting on Oct. 13.
Stekol’s comments, which were aimed at several Costa teachers and staff members, have sparked complaints from the Manhattan Beach Unified Teachers Association (MBUTA). According to the MBUTA, ⅔ of the union have “no confidence” in Stekol, deeming his comments “unprofessional behavior, physical intimidation, and a disparaging attitude.”
“It is so disheartening that this occurred and what is perhaps more upsetting is how scary it is to come here today and share this with you all because I do fear retribution,” said Costa English teacher Maddie Hutchinson in a public comment during an MBUSD Board meeting on Oct. 18. “I cannot sit by and witness egregious acts of blatant disrespect and intimidation without using my voice to advocate.”
Stekol’s comments at the meeting have also sparked concerns that he was hired without completing an interview. The meeting in question, which discussed a new policy for teachers taking leaves of absence, led to several exchanges between Stekol and a teacher who questioned the new policy.
“[The MBUTA] felt it was important to bring behaviors that we had noticed from [Stekol] to the attention of our superiors so that we could document some of the stuff we were noticing that was making staff members feel uncomfortable and as though there was a hostile work environment, or at least one that was not appropriate for us to sit through,” said Costa English teacher Lindsey Valbuena.
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