Teachers and speakers urge stronger behavior rules, cell‑phone limits and support for special‑education staff after on‑campus incident

Several district teachers and members of the public used the meeting’s public‑comment period to press the board for clearer behavior standards, stronger enforcement of cell‑phone recording rules and better support for special‑education staff after recent on‑campus incidents.

Why it matters: teachers said repeated incidents of aggressive student behavior — and the recording and online sharing of those incidents — are harming staff safety, student well‑being and the district’s reputation. Commenters called for clearer policies, more consistent discipline and additional staff supports to retain special‑education teachers.

What speakers said: - Mark Mondragon, a teacher at New Smytheer Middle School, described videos of fights being recorded and shared on social media and said the lack of a clear, enforced cell‑phone policy has created a “vacuum” in which students record rather than seek adult help. He said students “instinctively reach for their cell phones and begin recording” and urged the board to act on a comprehensive policy. - Jessica Sandoval, a teacher who said she was involved in the Feb. 14 incident at East Whittier Middle School, told the board she and a colleague separated students during a reward‑day event, instructed a student to go to the office and were met with escalating profanity. Sandoval said the student “physically shoved me with 2 hands in front of the gathered students.” She said police were called, a report filed and she was advised to press charges; the student received a four‑day suspension and later returned to school. - Andrew Sansone, a teacher and parent, linked behavioral discipline to academic standards, saying, “Promotion should be a celebration of academic achievement, not a birthday party,” and argued the district should set measurable academic and behavioral expectations tied to promotion and consequences. - Anne Barreto, a Hillview teacher, urged more support for new teachers in special education after a colleague was not rehired; she warned that some students are now facing their third teacher in three years and said the frequent turnover hurts vulnerable students’ continuity of services. - Missy Michelle, representing the East Whittier Education Association, raised concerns about an updated seniority list and transparency about staff training and assignments; she also emphasized the importance of discipline and clear expectations to support staff and student safety.

District response and next steps: board and staff acknowledged the concerns and noted existing work on discipline, grading and student supports. Directors said staff are reviewing grading practices and considering gradual reinstatement of promotion criteria alongside enhanced communication and advising, and district leaders said training and policy updates (including cell‑phone guidance at the site level) will be revisited.

Ending: commenters asked the board for clear timelines and stronger district‑level direction; several speakers requested more explicit consequences for aggression toward staff and more intentional supports for special‑education teachers to curb turnover.