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Parents press board on bullying and restraints; request term limits and greater family involvement
Summary
Several parents used public comment to report bullying, alleged inappropriate restraints, missing playground repairs and to demand term limits and more parental inclusion. Advocates asked the district for immediate CPI training for frontline staff and a clearer plan to prevent bullying of students with disabilities.
During public comment at the San Ysidro School District board meeting multiple parents described ongoing bullying incidents, alleged improper restraint or seclusion of students with disabilities, and raised concerns about school safety and parent treatment on campus.
Parent Roxanne Palisino told trustees she had observed a special education health aide restrain her daughter “by the wrist instead of…a visual card, like her IEP specifies,” and described an incident in which a child with autism was left outside in hot weather. “That is not discipline. It's abuse,” Palisino said. She and other speakers urged that all staff who interact with students — including cafeteria workers, aides and substitutes — be CPI-trained and called for accountability when parents raise complaints.
Another parent described repeated bullying incidents affecting her child, including a dangerous “holding the neck” challenge among classmates and said she had filed reports with district staff and an attorney. She said the issues had persisted and that some parents are preparing to protest at Willow School.
Speakers also criticized perceived exclusion of parents, described security staff intervening at an open house to remove parents, and asked why district events or training opportunities were limited to a small number of staff without parent participation. Several public commenters asked the board to adopt term limits, saying long-serving trustees erode public trust and fresh perspectives are needed.
The board responded with a mixture of sympathy and procedural remarks. Trustees and the superintendent reiterated the district’s legal obligations under IDEA and Section 504, and some board members acknowledged complaints take staff time and legal resources. Trustees emphasized they want to keep students safe and said they are working on communication and training, with one trustee noting a willingness to explore additional CPI training opportunities with the superintendent and SELPA. The board did not take immediate disciplinary action or adopt new policy during the meeting.
The meeting included the district’s regular Williams complaints report; the administration reported the majority of Williams complaints were resolved and that one of seven complaints did not fall under Williams scope. Trustees discussed proactive parent engagement as a way to reduce escalations that result in complaints and legal fees.
