LOS ANGELES TIMES October 2, 1968

School Board Sit-in Extended

as Teacher Ruling is Delayed

By Jack McCurdy

Times Education Writer

The sit-in of Mexican-Americans at the Board of Education was extended indefinitely Monday after the board failed to meet demands for the reinstatement of teacher Sal Castro at Lincoln High School.

Board members postponed action on two proposals designed to break the impasse, and demonstrators announced immediately they would continue their five-day-old sit-in at the board's chambers.

"We are here to hear a good reason why Mr. Castro cannot return as a teacher to Lincoln High and we will wait here for an answer," said the Rev. Vahac Mardirosian, leader of the demonstration.

Castro was transferred to a non-teaching job after he was indicted by the County Grand Jury for allegedly helping plan the walkout of Mexican-American students at four East Side high schools last March.

The board made its decision after discussing the Castro case for more than an hour before a noisy, capacity audience of about 200 persons and an additional 100 who listened to loudspeakers outside the meeting room.

The debate was interrupted a number of times by shouts of "Viva Castro," "Too much talk," "Action now," and "Ask us-we're the community."

The board first voted 6 to1 to delay at least until Thursday consideration of a suggestion by the Rev. James Jones, board president, that an outside committee be formed to study the Castro case and other Mexican-American demands and make recommendations.

Members then voted by the same count to schedule a special meeting with the teachers' Negotiating Council at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday to discuss a proposed change in policy which would presumable return Castro to his classroom duties.

Under law, the board must give 24 hours' notice before holding a special meeting and board members could not find time on their schedules until Wednesday

The Negotiating Council, which represents most teachers in the city school system, has urged that the board approve a new policy under which teachers be relieved of their classroom duties only when charged with felonies involving narcotics or morals.

This would mirror provisions of the state education code and would replace present district policy which calls for the removal of a teacher from the classroom when charged with any felony.

Mr. Jones' proposal was taken under study by the board and he was asked to make further suggestions as to the "structure, purpose and membership" of the panel at Thursday's session.

The motion was made by Dr. Ralph Richardson, who said the board should "take some form of action to proceed with an approach to solutions of these great many difficulties."

The motion was made by Dr. Ralph Richardson, who said the board should "take some form of action to proceed with an approach to solutions of these great many difficulties."

Such a group, Mr. Jones said, would be a new experience in the history of the school district and might create the "dialog and conciliatory" atmosphere which would bring about an accommodation between the "polarized" camps.

Dr. Julian Nava, a board member, said he might support such a committee "if it is advisory and can be convened as quickly as possible."

But board member J. C. Chambers criticized the "short time" being devoted to formation of the group and called of the group and called for a "long range and broad scope" assignment for the committee.

"We should not leave any impressions that this group would solve any immediate problems," he said. "We listened (to the pleas for Castro's reinstatement), we answered and we have taken our position." He voted against both board actions.

The board two weeks ago voted 6-1 in private session not to permit Castro's return to Lincoln High after he was assigned as a curriculum consultant by administration officials.

During the meeting, the board was informed that Superior Judge Robert Feinerman had postponed a ruling in Castro's suit against the district pending the board's meeting on the matter Monday.

Castro is asking the court to force the school system to give him a hearing on his removal from the classroom or give him his teaching job back.

"We should use our discretionary power to decide what we want to do," he added.

Meanwhile, attorneys for the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund attacked the Los Angeles Assn. of Secondary School Administrators for its statements about the unrest at the eastside schools.

The association, which represents most of the district's secondary principals and vice principals, urged the board to take stronger action against persons who try to disrupt the school with "threats, intimidation and ultimatums."

The attorneys said the East Side community is "appalled and outraged" by the statements.