Parents in the Lompoc Unified School District took to social media to voice their concerns about no plan in place for returning to the classroom.
Lompoc parent, Beth Baldacchino, created the Facebook group 'OPEN LUSD SCHOOLS' Tuesday night, after she says she received dozens of texts, emails and messages on social media from parents asking for help.
“It’s Zoom or it’s nothing," Baldacchino said.
The district says they have had a reopening plan in place since March 13, but many parents feel they are not being heard or given a choice on the decision.
Santa Barbara County is still in the purple tier, but is inching towards red which could allow students to be back in the classroom.
Lompoc parent, Teresa Muzyka, says schools can be re-opened if done so safely.
Her daughter is in second grade and spends nearly four hours a day on Zoom and Muzyka is frustrated with the lack of transparency from the district.
“I just feel like there’s been no planning, there’s not really been very good communication I don’t think with anyone, even just leading up to the days and weeks before school started," Muzyka said.
Many teachers in the district say they are afraid to speak out publicly about their challenges, due to fear of losing their jobs.
One anonymous post on behalf of a teacher in the Facebook group saying "when we do speak out to parents, forums, etc. we are reprimanded and some cases experience retaliation."
District officials say there are plans in place for a hybrid learning model with a goal to ensure there is a minimal learning loss.
The district also shared a survey for parents Wednesday evening to get input on a potential waiver to get students back into the classroom.
Lompoc Unified School District will hold their next boarding meeting on October 13, at 5:30 p.m. where many parents are expected to attend and voice their concerns.
