Students from FIELD protest the change of class schedules in front of FIELD Learning Center on South Union Avenue.
Monday was the first day of classes at FIELD, the Farmworkers Institute of Education & Leadership Development, and a small number of students and teachers were not in class. Instead, they were staging a protest in front of FIELD’s main office on South Union Avenue in Bakersfield. The protest was organized and led by FIELD President/CEO David Villarino who was put on paid leave recently by the agency’s board of directors.
“(The board) is changing all these programs, they’re dismantling everything that took us years to put together,” said Villarino in an interview during the protest.
For background, FIELD is a non-profit entity established in 1978 by the late Cesar Chávez, co-founder of the United Farm Workers union. FIELD’s website defines its mission as “To foster economic & social prosperity through a continuum of educational and workforce development programs.” Most of its clients are farmworkers, but it is open to anyone over 18 years old. It has 22 campuses throughout rural communities in California, with six campuses or learning centers in Kern County that offer classes in obtaining a high school diploma, English as a second language, a Career Technical Pathway program that trains students in social business enterprises and classes in natural resources and recycling.
Villarino made a slew of charges against FIELD board members Mark Martinez and Nora Dominguez in particular, accusing the pair of a “power and money grab” in the time he’s been out since April. Martinez and Dominguez would not comment on the accusations. Villarino claims the board has abruptly, inexplicably, and unilaterally made changes in leadership, operations, and services for students. Earlier this year, the board also voted to remove Villarino as chair. A key complaint by Villarino is that the new leadership made major changes to the class schedules, resulting in de-facto 12-hour work days for teachers who have to work a split shift. One student at the protest said the change has impacted her. “I work during mornings and come here to take classes after 12pm, but now with these changes, I can’t do that anymore,” said María Eseñia Rodriguez who is hoping to earn her high-school diploma. “We want to be heard,” she said. Villarino also claims the board’s actions have led to class closures at learning centers in East Bakersfield, Paso Robles, Greenfield in Monterey County, and a planned closure in Lamont.
However, according to a press release from FIELD Board of Directors Chair Nora DeLuna, Villarino’s claims amount to “public misinformation.” According to DeLuna, eleven different instructional schedules needed to be adjusted to meet the demands of students. In March, a survey was done and results showed that 80% of students preferred to take classes between 8 am and noon, and in the evening between 5 pm and 8 pm. Based on this, classes are now between 8:30 am to 12 pm and from 5 pm to 8:30 pm. Teachers and staff work hours were adjusted accordingly, states the press release.
In an email response, DeLuna wrote that the FIELD campus was closed and transitioned to a long-term independent study site. The East Bakersfield site was moved to a newer and more spacious classroom at the Union Avenue site. The Lamont site has not been closed, but due to growth, it will be moving to Arvin to accommodate growth. Its Shafter site remains open and added a classroom to serve increased enrollment. The Greenfield site in Monterey County has not yet reopened because a teacher has not been hired. DeLuna states smaller school districts and agencies like FIELD struggle to find teachers as they cannot offer the same level of incentive and benefits as larger school districts. DeLuna
encouraged teachers to apply to work at FIELD. Candidates can apply at: https://www.farmworkerinstitute.org/field-job-openings
VILLARINO UNDER INVESTIGATION
Sources familiar with the situation claim Monday’s protest was nothing more than smoke and mirrors to detract from Villarino’s own problems at FIELD. Villarino admitted he is under investigation after at least two employees filed complaints against him. “The complaints were for hostile work environment and other things,” said Villarino. “I was doing my job in admonishing them for failing to follow directions or to do their job correctly. I didn’t threaten them or write them up,” he said. Up to now, Villarino said he has not been interviewed about the complaints and claims the FIELD board is retaliating against him because he informed students and staff of their rights. Further, he claims charges of creating a hostile work environment have also been made against FIELD principal Jaime Quinones, but that FIELD’s Human Resources director has ignored or refused to investigate the changes, amounting to selective and discriminatory enforcement.
Villarino said he plans on contacting the California Department of Justice to investigate what he called a violation of students’ civil rights. And he is considering hiring a lawyer depending on the outcome of the investigation. Villarino, 71 years old has been President and CEO at FIELD for 24 years. Stay tuned, there’s more to come.
