MVHS students protest board decision to non-reelect teacher Rob Seitelman
Mar 9, 2015
Over 100 students and approximately 30 community members attended the MVLA Board of Education meeting on Monday, March 9th to protest the motion to refrain from re-electing current MVHS Drama and English teacher, Rob Seitelman. Students, friends, parents, and teachers addressed the board, all speaking in support of Seitelman’s re-election.
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A number of attendees loudly voiced their disagreement and left the meeting in tears when the board unanimously voted 5-0 to approve resolution 157 to non-reelect probationary employee, Rob Seitelman.
Re-hiring him for the 2015-2016 school year would have effectively granted Seitelman tenure in the Mountain View-Los Altos School District. According to Education Code 44929.21, “A probationary teacher who has been employed by the district in a position or positions requiring certification for two complete consecutive school years and is then rehired for the next succeeding school year shall become a permanent employee at the beginning of the third year.”
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For the past one-and-a-half years, Seitelman has been involved in the theater and performing arts department at MVHS.
In an interview the afternoon before the board meeting, Seitelman said, “Regardless of whatever happens tonight, the simple fact that blood, sweat, and tears went into [this protest] means the world to me.”
Each community member was given a two-minute opportunity to speak at the meeting.
“I’m here because I strongly believe that this decision [to not re-elect Seitelman] is a mistake,” senior Madison Melenudo, secretary of The International Thespian Society, said.
One of Seitelman’s English students, freshman Jack Wilbur, spoke of the teacher’s influence on his decision to take AP Comp for this next school year.
Julie Yick, teacher and colleague of Seitelman, said, “I believe that Rob Seitelman embodies what Mountain View High School is all about.”
David Koppel, professional actor, educator, and previous head of the drama department, said, “Rob has created a safe, cooperative environment for his students.”
In accordance with legal procedure for personnel issues, the board declined to comment as to the reason for letting Seitelman go.
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“I am grateful to the community, parents, and students for their support. Regardless of how things turn out, I am forever changed,” Seitelman said, “I feel incredibly humbled.”
**The MVHS Oracle will continue to provide information as events unfold. A link to the audio of the March 9th school board meeting will be published when released. Stay tuned for updates.**
Drama student • Mar 12, 2015 at 7:08 pm
just to clarify at the people who commented above, we know that mr seitelman wasn’t non re elected without cause because of money. The sports money is completely different funds than teacher salaries anyways. It is something to comment on, but I do think the two are unrelated. That being said, there are lots of problems regarding this process, and in the future, I would personally like to see more student involvement besides just surveys in the decision making, considering we are the ones bring affected by the teachers
no • Mar 9, 2015 at 10:41 pm
dave grissom has made arguably the biggest mistake yet. instead of “upgrading the quad” we could have used this money on a better teacher..
Frustrated • Mar 10, 2015 at 7:35 am
Or better yet, we didn’t really need a new football field…..And a new score board….and a new announcers booth….