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Teachers union vote denounces Hubbard

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COSTA MESA — The overwhelming majority of Newport-Mesa Unified teachers have no confidence in their embattled superintendent, according to a vote announced Thursday night by the teacher’s union.

Ballots sent out Oct. 20 to the teachers in the Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers showed 91.2% voted no confidence in Jeffrey Hubbard, union officials confirmed.

Of the 959 members, 379 participated — a nearly 40 percent voter turnout.

“We hope the school board will pay attention that 90% of the teachers have no confidence in our superintendent,” said union President Kimberly Claytor. “It’s a sad thing. I don’t mean it’s sad that they have no confidence, it’s sad about the whole scenario.”

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At the federation’s Costa Mesa office, unions officials counted the ballots, with PTA members overseeing the process for accuracy.

Although not all members voted, Claytor said she feels the vote “represents the sentiment of our membership.”

The union plans to present the results at the Nov. 8 school board meeting. Claytor also said she is notifying teachers Thursday night of the results and is planning on telling Hubbard on Friday.

District spokeswoman Laura Boss couldn’t be immediately reached Thursday night.

Hubbard has said in an email to district employees that he was disappointed in the call for a no-confidence vote.

In a resolution sent out with the ballot to all members, union officials listed several reasons for the vote, including Hubbard asking for paid administrative leave to deal with personal issues and emails from his district account filled with sexual innuendo.

In addition, the resolution claims that Hubbard received special treatment.

Union officials have also alleged unequal treatment and hiring practices occurring under his leadership.

“One of the things we want to see addressed is the inequities,” said Nicholas Dix, the union’s executive director, adding later that “there are serious issues. The district to date has not responded to these concerns.”

Hubbard is facing trial in Los Angeles Superior Court for three felony charges related to alleged actions during his tenure as superintendent of the Beverly Hills Unified School District. The accusations include appropriating thousands of dollars without school board approval.

Thursday night’s vote, however, isn’t passing judgment on whether he did the crimes , said Joel Flores, the union director of political organizing.

“We’re not saying we think he’s guilty or innocent,” he said.

britney.barnes@latimes.com

Twitter: @britneyjbarnes

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