Darnall Charter School is among the oldest charters in San Diego County. As teachers began organizing for union representation and succeeded in their unionization efforts, they faced considerable resistance from forces opposed to an independent voice for educators. The most recent example relates to Darnall Charter School Board’s decision to effectively eliminate 50% of its school counselor support – handing those responsibilities to the remaining school counselor and doubling that school counselor’s caseload.  

In another example of that erratic decision-making, Darnall administrators called the meeting on very short notice-right after the board failed to approve the removal of a school counselor position on April 21st. Teachers spoke against it due to the exceptionality of Darnall students and the need to address trauma caused by the pandemic. Official’s decision to call a special session was untimely and intended to alter this earlier vote.   

This second attempt to cut the Darnall school counselor position, coming after administrators were unable to get a second to the motion to terminate a school counselor position earlier, illustrates disorganization and disconnect between the board on one side, and Parents and staff who were relieved that their students would continue to receive the much-needed social-emotional supports.  

Darnall board members chose to make the charter school a little less diverse

It is unclear whether eliminating the position is in retaliation for the clarity and support school counselors requested back in March. The school counselors came to the Darnall Charter Teachers Association (DCTA) in earnest for assistance in their job description last month. This proposal for reduction of a school counselor position at a time when the school has a waiting list for counseling support can be seen as retaliatory behavior.  

Parents and teachers are upset about the cut to services for students at a time when other districts are adding social-emotional supports for students. DCTA strongly believes students deserve better and need more, especially coming out of a pandemic. Classroom teachers are currently being asked to increase social-emotional lessons in the classroom, but the specialized services and expertise of a school counselor are needed to address students’ specific mental health issues and well-being.  

Darnall Charter Board and administrators have given no academic justification for cutting a school counselor during a time of such high student needs. Doubling the workload of the remaining school counselor is unjust and not in the best interests of Darnall students.      

The two staff-board members that are a part of the Darnall board were given no opportunity for input during public comment and were directed not to vote or engage on this topic due to conflict-of-interest restrictions. Instead, they received a directive from Darnall Charter School that silenced their voice before and during the board meeting. 

Board Votes Against Students’ Interests: The charter board gave 15 minutes of public comment time (plus a short extension) before adjourning to closed session. Despite pleas from every Darnall parent and educator who spoke in opposition at the special Wednesday board sessions, the board voted to cut school counseling staff by a vote of three to two. Prior to the vote, several parents reminded the board that pandemic conditions had minimized their opportunities for social and emotional learning and were struggling; parents claimed their children needed more supports-certainly not less.  

DCTA remains undaunted. Members will continue to build local power and community/parent outreach in the face of these decisions that run counter to the educational interests of the Darnall Charter community, its parents and students.