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Parent says Desert Learning Academy lacks assigned security guard; board pledges follow-up
Summary
A Palm Springs Unified parent raised safety concerns at the March 25 board meeting, saying Desert Learning Academy has no dedicated security guard. Superintendent Signorette said the district will follow up; no board action was taken at the meeting.
A parent who identified herself to the board as Christy Witty said Desert Learning Academy (DLA) operates without a dedicated security guard and urged the Palm Springs Unified School District Board of Education to act.
Witty said her daughter attends DLA, which she described as “a hybrid institution situated directly behind the high school,” and told the board: “Failing to assign these personnel to a school in close proximity to [a] high school is a blatant violation of the safety obligations.” She added that the district’s comprehensive safe school plans “mandated by California law” require an assessment of a school’s crime status and strategies to maintain safety.
Why it matters: The parent’s remarks focused on student safety at a site she said lacks on-site security staff while nearby high school crime data and national comparisons have prompted concern. The board did not take formal action the night of March 25 but district leaders said they would follow up.
Details from the meeting: During public comment, Witty cited the district’s job postings for campus security assistants and local police statistics referenced in her remarks. She said national survey figures and local Palm Springs Police Department counts (as cited during public comment) point to increased local assaults and a need to staff campuses. Witty concluded by asking the board to assign a security guard to DLA.
Superintendent response: Superintendent Signorette acknowledged the public comment and told the board the district would follow up with the speaker “very soon,” and thanked her for raising the concern. No motion, vote, or directive to staff was recorded on the floor that night.
Board remarks: In subsequent board comments, Board Member Sergio Irvin said education and safety are “top priorities” and indicated that the parent had addressed the appropriate officials. The board’s public statements promised follow-up rather than committing to immediate staffing changes.
What the record shows: The comment was raised during the public comment period; the board did not vote or adopt a policy or change staffing at the meeting. The district cited its requirement to follow state guidance in its safe schools planning and said staff would investigate and report back.
Next steps: The superintendent and staff indicated they will follow up with the parent and the school site; no timeline was recorded in the minutes for that follow-up.
