Oakley schools Superintendent issues letter on board members’ apologies, resignations following controversial video comments

By Allen Payton

Following the revelation of live video in which derisive comments were made about parents by Oakley Union Elementary School Board members during their meeting on Wednesday night, that has since made Bay Area and national news, all four of them have apologized and resigned as of Friday afternoon. (WARNING: video contains graphic language). A fifth seat on the board was already vacant and pending appointment.

Superintendent Greg Hetrick issued a letter announcing the resignations

Board President, Lisa Brizendine who could be heard in the video saying “they want their babysitters back”, issued a separate apology and announced her resignation on Thursday. Members Kim Beede, Erica Ippolito and Richie Masadas offered the following, joint apology:

“We deeply regret the comments that were made in the meeting of the Board of Education earlier this week. As trustees, we realize it is our responsibility to model the conduct that we expect of our students and staff, and it is our obligation to build confidence in District leadership; our comments failed you in both regards, and for this we offer our sincerest apology.

We love our students, our teachers and our community, and we want to be part of the remedy to help the District move forward, returning its full focus to students’ needs. To help facilitate the healing process, we will be resigning our positions as Trustees of the Oakley Union Elementary School District, effective immediately. The Superintendent will be working with the Contra Costa County Office of Education to address the vacancies on the Board of Education.

This was a difficult decision, but we hear the community’s concerns, and we believe yielding to your request that we step down will allow the District to move forward. Please do not let our failure in judgment cast a shadow on the exceptional work that our teachers, administrators and hard-working employees are doing for the students of this District. They deserve and will need your support as you move forward.”

The current members of the Contra Costa Board of Education will serve as the board members of OEUSD until new members are appointed.

Superintendent Hetrick issued the following letter to parents and posted it on the district’s website on Friday: