(KMJ) FRESNO – December 16, 2015 – Bullard High school teachers sign a petition calling for collaboration over discipline, and safety issues such as the need for higher school fences.
80 percent of the staff at Bullard High School petitioned say the school is not safe – they want to see that changed and are calling on Fresno Unified to do something.
Teachers say there are serious issues with security, students committing violent acts, and fights on campus in what they call an “erosion in discipline.”
Bullard Teacher Scott Hatfield represented the group as teachers held a press conference Wednesday afternoon (December 16th) to address the issue and share their petition.
“We’re the districts employees, we want the district to work with us, and the trick here is to get them to see things from our point of view, to understand what the teachers’ concerns are, and understand why it’s really in everyone’s best interest to have more secure campus, it’s really in everyone’s interest to have a disciplinary policy that’s clear and consistent and leads to the type of campus you’d want.” – Spokesperson Scott Hatfield, Bullard High School Teacher.
The Board of Education says safety is a top priority, and they’re investing $3.5 million to boost security, adding cameras and brighter lighting, hiring 15 additional officers and chaplains in partnership with the Fresno PD.
District representatives showed up at the school to respond to the Bullard Teachers’ concerns.
Bullard’s Principal Carlos Castillo met with the press, joined by FUSD Spokesperson Miguel Arias in responding to the teachers, saying he would like to know about specific incidents.
Arias says the district will meet with teachers after the winter break to address their concerns.
