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Parents and students report alleged threats, harassment and discrimination to Sweetwater board; trustees request follow-up
Summary
Several parents and students reported alleged staff misconduct — including a reported death threat in a band class, aggressive coaching behavior, and discrimination by a robotics adviser — and asked the board to investigate or remove employees; trustees asked staff to follow up.
Multiple parents and students raised concerns at the April 14 Sweetwater Union High School District board meeting about alleged staff conduct at Eastlake, Montgomery and Olympian high schools and asked the board for investigations and protections for students.
A parent described a 2024 incident in which a band teacher allegedly told her son, “if he doesn't get his drill correctly ... she's gonna ******* kill him.” The parent said the employee’s return after suspension has caused the student ongoing distress and asked the board to remove the teacher from the classroom. “When she was removed from school, the band flourished,” the parent said, and urged immediate removal to ensure student safety.
A nearby parent corroborated the student’s distress, saying her son has not returned to the class since the teacher’s return and requested a formal investigation and administrative leave for the coach while the district reviews the complaint.
Students and a parent from Olympian High School’s robotics team described a separate set of concerns about the team’s teacher advisor. Student speaker Josiah Gattbonten (as recorded in the transcript) said the adviser “has consistently neglected the Olympian robotics team” and alleged discrimination and emotional mistreatment tied to nationality, immigration status and sexual orientation. The students asked the district to remove the teacher as the club adviser, hire a qualified credentialed coach and require bias training for the staff member. A student who filed a complaint told the board he did not seek employee termination but requested bias training and improved complaint handling.
A parent at Montgomery High School asked the board to place a coach on administrative leave while the district investigates alleged aggressive behavior, including yelling and physical contact during an event on Sept. 13, 2024. The parent said teammates are afraid to speak up because of fear of retaliation.
Why it matters: The complaints allege threats, harassment, and discrimination — issues that trigger district investigative and complaint-handling obligations under state law and district policy. Parents requested immediate action to protect students; trustees asked for follow-up from staff.
Board response: Trustees and the superintendent acknowledged the concerns and requested staff follow up and provide more information. During the meeting the board specifically requested follow-up on the Olympian robotics adviser situation and on the Montgomery coach and band matters. No public record of disciplinary outcomes or removals was recorded at the April 14 meeting; several speakers said they had filed formal complaints with the district.
