Controversy Over Terminology in Pajaro Valley School Board Meeting

During a Pajaro Valley Unified School District board meeting on January 14, 2023, Vice President Joy Flynn expressed strong disapproval of the term "homeless" used by Assistant Superintendent Michael Berman in his presentation on student achievement. Flynn stated, "I am personally offended by what was presented. On so many different levels," advocating for the use of "unhoused" instead. Her comments arose after Berman's report, which included metrics on graduation rates, chronic absenteeism, and suspension levels, highlighted the challenges faced by various student demographics, including those experiencing homelessness.

California school board member 'personally offended' when speaker says 'homeless' instead of 'unhoused'

Berman's report indicated that Black students in the district faced the highest suspension rates, a finding that Flynn also contested. She argued that even a single Black student should be considered statistically significant, countering Berman's assertion that the low enrollment numbers rendered the group statistically insignificant in certain metrics. The district's demographics show it is over 85% Hispanic and 13% White, with Black students comprising less than 1% of the population.

California school board member 'personally offended' when speaker says 'homeless' instead of 'unhoused'

Flynn's remarks sparked a debate about the appropriateness of language in educational contexts. A spokesperson from the North American Values Institute criticized Flynn's stance, stating, "Changing language that functions to help us understand urgency and truth—in order to reduce stigma, cater to feelings, and be 'politically correct'—is a dangerous path." This perspective emphasizes the potential risks of altering terminology at the expense of clarity and urgency in addressing student needs.

California school board member 'personally offended' when speaker says 'homeless' instead of 'unhoused'

Flynn's insistence on using "unhoused" instead of "homeless" reflects a broader trend in educational and social discourse aimed at reducing stigma. However, her comments were met with opposition from other board members who defended the established terminology used in California. One board member noted, "That's the way our state of California, that's the language that they use," highlighting the tension between local preferences and state standards.

California school board member 'personally offended' when speaker says 'homeless' instead of 'unhoused'

• “I have a lot to say and I will speak plainly. And you may not like it. I am personally offended by what was presented. On so many different levels,” — Joy Flynn, Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board Vice President

California school board member 'personally offended' when speaker says 'homeless' instead of 'unhoused'

• “We have a lot of work to do, and this data point is significant,” — Michael Berman, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services

California school board member 'personally offended' when speaker says 'homeless' instead of 'unhoused'

• “I recognize that in this report that I think that something was said was there aren't enough Black students to have statistical significance. I'm personally offended by that. If we have one Black student, that student is statistically significant enough to be on the report.” — Joy Flynn, Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board Vice President

California school board member 'personally offended' when speaker says 'homeless' instead of 'unhoused'

The ongoing dialogue surrounding terminology in educational settings underscores the complexities of addressing sensitive issues while striving for inclusivity and accuracy.

California school board member 'personally offended' when speaker says 'homeless' instead of 'unhoused'