Atascadero Unified classified staff raise retaliation concerns over internal superintendent candidate

During the public comment period before a closed session, classified staff and teachers told the Atascadero Unified School District board they are reluctant to speak publicly about concerns involving an internal candidate for superintendent because of fear of retaliation.

Laney Hopper, president of the Classified School Employees Association (CSEA), said she represents classified employees who have asked her to raise questions, concerns and complaints about the internal superintendent candidate. “First and foremost, there are numerous concerns from our staff about speaking to the board right now and attending the meeting tonight, because of the possibility of retaliation,” Hopper said. She added that some staff have asked for “training, clarity, and guidance on specific duties” and that “some staff feel that ed services have been lacking leadership for the past 9 years.” Hopper also said she recently completed union steward training.

A separate speaker identified only as the teachers’ union president said it is unusual for two bargaining-unit presidents to appear together for public comment and described an intent to “unite” to support the district. That speaker told the board the unions would like an opportunity to meet with board members in small groups under the Brown Act to present concerns and discuss issues affecting students and staff. “We would like to have our voices heard and we would, again, like to offer that opportunity to meet with the board, not as a group in one, but in the legal, Brown Act laws of 2 or 3 board members at a time,” the teachers’ union president said.

The board opened the period for public comment on closed-session agenda items under state law governing public meetings (Government Code 54954.3), which allows members of the public up to three minutes to speak on closed-session matters before the board’s consideration. After public comment concluded, the meeting was adjourned to closed session. The transcript does not record any further discussion or formal board action on the concerns raised during public comment.

The speakers characterized the remarks as representing classified staff and teachers; the transcript records no board response during the public-comment portion and no formal motions, votes or directives related to the superintendent candidate in the segment provided.