Parents, students sing for ousted music teacher’s return

Current and former students at John H. Eader Elementary School played ukuleles and sang on Wednesday morning as they sought the return of longtime music teacher Nelda Alvarez, whose contract is not being renewed for next school year.

The students, along with their parents, held a “sing-in” outside the Huntington Beach City School District’s temporary office in Ocean Plaza.

Alvarez, a classified employee who works on an annual contract, has taught at Eader for 15 years. But after meeting with Eader Principal Debbi Randall on Friday, she was told that she would not be brought back next school year.

With a new state budget to be signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, the district discussed the “expansion” of music programs for elementary schools, district Supt. Gregg Haulk said Wednesday. The curriculum would include keyboarding and music history.

“We want to strengthen the music program and give that experience to all our elementary schools,” Haulk said. “We also want to provide consistency for part-time individuals.”

Because of the “restructuring,” the district is required to have credentialed teachers instruct the students.

Alvarez, who is not credentialed, said she was told in her meeting with Randall that she could apply for a position in the programs that she is qualified for. Haulk confirmed that Wednesday.

On Saturday morning, Alvarez posted on her Facebook page that she felt “lucky” to have taught at Eader for 15 years. Shortly after, she said, her page had “blown up” with comments from friends and even past students expressing their “shock” that she would not return.

“It was very heartfelt knowing how people appreciated what I’d done and that they still wanted me at Eader,” Alvarez said. “I never expected this kind of support.”

The district office sent a letter to parents inviting them to Eader on Tuesday morning to discuss Alvarez’s contract not being renewed.

The meeting was held, but parents of Alvarez’s current and former students decided to organize the sing-in on Wednesday.

Students sang songs that Alvarez had written for class, such as “The Macky Song” and the “Huntington Beach Song.”

Alvarez says she hopes that a part-time position meeting her qualifications will be available at Eader.

However, parents want her in her current job.

“We want her there for the kids and for her to teach her program,” parent Amber Norquist said. “Why fix something that’s not broken?”

Parent Carley Decker added: “She’s beyond qualified. Not only does she have the experience, but she’s taught them to express themselves. So many parents will agree that she is the heart and soul of Eader.”