Teachers from Mark Twain Elementary told the Pasco School Board that a district decision to move their vice principal, Cesar, to another school less than 24 hours before the first day of classes shattered trust and left staff emotionally shaken. Kathy Wright, a special‑education teacher with 36 years in Pasco, said staff learned of the move when two district administrators arrived at the school "less than 24 hours before the first day of students" and that "you have broken trust with the staff at Mark Twain, and I don't know when, or even if, it can be repaired."

Several speakers described the consequences at the building level. Julia Call, a Bridges teacher, said she was "the teacher that was crying in my car, not wanting to go in," and described the vice principal as part of a "dream team" of administrators who helped repair a previously fractured staff culture. Amber Haines, a second‑grade teacher, told the board the decision "has caused great harm to our school" and urged the board to consider the human impact and to return Cesar to Mark Twain.

What the district said: During audience comments the district did not present a formal, public explanation of the personnel action beyond statements teachers reported from district administrators in the building. Assistant Superintendent Sarah Thornton and Superintendent Michelle Whitney were present earlier in the meeting to discuss policy and evaluation items; the public record during this meeting did not include a detailed administrative rationale for the reassignment.

Board and next steps: Board members and the superintendent did not announce a decision on the staffing move during the meeting. Board President Amanda Brown reminded commenters they could submit their full comments to the board in writing. Teachers asked for remedies including improved communication, consideration of reversal, and greater sensitivity when making personnel moves that affect school communities.

Sources: Public comments by Kathy Wright, Julia Call, Amber Haines and Dawn Wright during the audience‑comment section of the Pasco School Board meeting.