Commentary: Mariners’ Gold Ribbon application warrants investigation

I love teachers, all teachers. I think they are some of the best people on the planet.

They care about your kids. They worry about them. They give everything they have to them and often don’t even know they are doing it. One thing they don’t do well is protect themselves.

Mariners has always been an outstanding school. The teachers come early, stay late and talk about the kids, ad nauseam. They could win any award, anytime. They are that good.

Recently, they were awarded the California Gold Ribbon Schools Award. But here’s the thing: They didn’t want it. The new principal, for reasons of her own, determined that the school needed the award. She did the paperwork, but some of the teachers claim there are inaccuracies on the application.

The teachers contacted Nicholas Dix of the Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers, who presented the comprehensive complaint to school district. There was no immediate investigation by the district, though the school board later agreed to hire a private investigations firm to look into the matter.

But here’s what happened beforehand. This brave group of teachers, who didn’t want to ruin Mariners’ reputation, decided to fight for what was ethical. This school’s teachers went to the NMUSD board meeting May 24, en masse. One teacher, Tamara Fairbanks, delivered the truth to the board, brilliantly and succinctly.

The board’s reaction was as predictable as the constant road repair in Newport Beach. In other words, no reaction. There was no, “We are really sorry, and of course we’ll have a real investigation” or “We are sorry that we put you in this position.”

Nothing. Stone-faced.

To put this in perspective, these teachers essentially gave up a prestigious award because they value honesty and integrity.

So, if you want someone to model courage and ethics for Newport Mesa’s kids, look no further than the staff at Mariners Elementary, and don’t bother to look at NMUSD ‘s administration.

Trustees, where are you?

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SANDY ASPER lives in Newport Beach.