Teachers urge district action after alleged harassment at University High; union requests formal acknowledgment and investigation

Several current and former University High School staff addressed the board during the public‑comment period on June 24 to press for transparency and accountability after what they described as repeated incidents of harassment.

Alicia Zimmerman, who said she was speaking on behalf of a team of five teachers, read from a documented complaint submitted to professional standards and asked the board for action: "We are requesting, 1, a formal acknowledgment of the complaint submitted; 2, a transparent explanation of how the matter was addressed; 3, an assurance that steps will be taken to investigate this fully and fairly; 4, a review of current harassment reporting protocols and enforcement practices to ensure future reports are handled appropriately," Zimmerman said. She said the complaint included multiple incidents and that none of the five reporting teachers had been interviewed.

Jake Norman, another speaker who identified himself as a teacher with eight years at University High, described being displaced this year and alleged that the administration had not acted on signed witness statements. Norman said the conduct reported was "HR documented incidents that were ignored by leadership even despite signed witness statements from five members." He asked the board to "create a work environment where people feel safe to speak up without fear."

Board members and the board attorney interrupted to raise a procedural point: the board attorney advised against airing pending personnel investigations as public attacks on named individuals. The chair and attorney clarified that the board could not adjudicate individual personnel matters in public comment but that the board had received the statements and that professional standards and human resources handle such matters. At least one speaker said the investigation had been closed at the school level but that the complainants had not been contacted and that the matter remained unresolved for staff.

The speakers asked the board to review the district's handling of harassment reports and to ensure victims and witnesses receive acknowledgment and support. Teachers said they had brought the matter to school and district leaders, to labor management, and to professional standards but had seen no visible corrective action.

What comes next: Board members said they could not discuss confidential personnel details in public session, but the speakers' request for a formal acknowledgment and a clear explanation of the district's response is on the public record. The board and staff did not announce a public timeline for additional disclosure; staff said personnel and professional standards offices handle investigations and that the board does not resolve individual personnel matters in open session.