During the Kern High School District (KHSD) Board Meeting on Monday, community members spoke about the role of politics and religion in the classrooms.
The first public speaker, Dennis McLean, spoke about the student walkout that took place the week prior, protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and accused the school system of brainwashing students.
“I am appalled your high school administration and educators allow your students to walk out of their class and attend an anti-American protest to support illegal immigrants,” said McLean, adding that he feels it was an embarrassment to Kern County residents.
He continued to call a Trustee, David Manriquez, a liar and call him out of touch with students.
“If we do not have law enforcment our nation has nothing. Trustee Manriquez, you will now have to admit you are wrong when stating there are no politics in this school district. Seems like this action by your students is totally a political statement. That proves you are out of touch with your students in your school system. Time for you to go.”
John Hart spoke at the board meeting as well and stated he was proud of the students for protesting what he referred to as the U.S execution squad.
“Thank you to the Kern High District students who walked out of class last week in complete accordance with the United States Supreme Court ruling in Tinker versus Des Moines, in protest of the United States government’s assassination squads, turned loose on American streets. We older folks are proud of you. We need you. We stand with you, and let’s not let this be a one-off.”
Manriquez responded to the comments, stating that false claims were made about him.
“I’m not going one side or the other, and I do appreciate the comments. But also, I’m a father, a brother-in-law of law enforcement. I come from a long line of law enforcement,” said Manriquez. “So I understand what the students are doing. It’s not my job to monitor their students. They have parents or guardians. It’s not my job to tell them what to and not to do. I also work in an elementary school district. And it’s for them, and the parents decide what they need to do. It’s not for me, it’s not for any of these boards up here. It’s kind of ironic that I get called on in regards because I’m not bringing politics yet, but we do have more members that do.”
Angelo Frazier made a public comment to state that the Ten Commandments should be placed within the school. The placement of the Ten Commandments in classrooms has been a major topic in Kern County, with many community members also attending the Kern County Board of Education Meetings. Frazier’s main argument is that the Ten Commandments are a historical document and that freedom of religion does not mean freedom from religion.
“The commandments continue to guide human behavior and decisions throughout our communities, and they have lasting moral and ethical influences on all those that reflect upon them. And this is what we need,” said Frazier. “Our systems seem like they’re out of control. We’re offering, I think, a better stand, and so I offer your consideration for this, and the foundation that I’ve given you are for a resolution that I’m working on, that you’ll see in due time.”
Hart spoke in opposition to the Ten Commandments being displayed in the schools and added that if they move forward with the Ten Commandments proposal, the community will resist.
“Activism in Kern County has changed dramatically in the era of MAGA and Trump, and what was once apathy and ambivalence has been replaced with determination, commitment, and passion across demographics, from young to old, all ethnicities, all faithes and denominations, excluding the MAGA fate Christian, of course, as we fight to stop the MAGA agenda, which this proposal is obviously a part. That’s all I have on this ridiculous proposal,” said Hart.
Board of Trustees Derek Tisinger stated he is in favor of the Ten Commandments being displayed because he believes they will serve as a moral compass.
“I am in support of the Ten Commandments and our historical documents being posted in a common area within high school, so as students reflect, at this day and age, I think it’s important for us to have a moral compass for our students as well as our staff,” said Tisinger.
Neither of these topics was on the agenda; therefore, no official vote has been taken.
