Huerta told the school district board meeting, “There’s a movement in the United States to create more charter schools, but also to take that money out of public education.”

When a troubling petition for a new charter school in downtown Bakersfield reared its head, Steve Comstock, president of the Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association, turned to the community to help fight it.

Along with drawing on the support of students, parents and educators to contest the petition for the Central Academy of Arts and Technology (CAAT) charter school, he engaged the Dolores Huerta Foundation, right down the street from his office, and its renowned labor leader for assistance.

The CAAT petition was troubling because the charter appeared designed to appeal to those who were resisting integrating diverse community enrollment into a school that once existed exclusively for the children of downtown business employees and local leaders. The petition also lacked plans to support English Learners, students with disabilities, or to address the needs of socio-economically disadvantaged students or other vulnerable students.

“I hate to say this, but this really felt like a ‘white flight’ type of charter school,” said Comstock.

There were concerns that the charter would also divert vital resources from dual language programs and English Learners in the school community.

In late August, students, parents, educators and a very special guest — Dolores Huerta — turned out to share their concerns at the Bakersfield City School District board meeting. The petition failed when three board members voted against it.

“There’s a movement in the United States to create more charter schools, but also to take that money out of public education,” said Huerta at the board meeting.

“A diverse group of parents, students, community members and educators voiced their valid concerns regarding the petition to establish a charter school in downtown Bakersfield. Our voices were heard and three of the BCSD board members voted No!” tweeted Ashley De La Rosa with the Dolores Huerta Foundation.

It may not be the end of this fight, as the charter entity has the ability to appeal to the county. Nevertheless, the August school board victory reveals an important lesson for educators across the state who might be faced with a similar situation.

“Don’t go it alone, don’t do it alone. Community partnership is so important.”

—Steve Comstock, president of the Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association

“Don’t go it alone, don’t do it alone,” said Comstock. While not everyone can call on Dolores Huerta or her foundation, they likely have similar stakeholders they can call who share similar goals and values, Comstock said. “Community partnership is so important.”