Parent and alum urges transparency on teacher disciplinary case, says students and families affected

Janet Hasson, identifying herself as a Beverly Hills Unified alum, parent and professional social worker, used the public comment period to press the board for transparency about a recurring agenda item described as "anticipated litigation and teacher dismissal disciplinary action." She said the matter—s repeated appearance on agendas has been "disheartening and alarming" and urged the district to disclose investigation protocols, timelines and who will serve as impartial investigators and decision makers.

"I want to be directed to the protocol for dealing with allegations against teachers and administrators. I want to know the designated timelines, and who are the impartial objective investigators and decision makers," Hasson said.

Hasson told trustees she believed the district has not explained why an investigation is occurring now after two decades of the teacher—s service, and said that class disruptions and substitute placements have harmed students. She described a substitute in her child—s classroom who declined to reveal his identity and said students were told he could "choose to define myself however I want." She also said the district had restricted student access to a studio, which she called a concern for student expression.

Hasson raised specific legal claims during her remarks, saying the district had violated "education code 8 7 6 2 3 4 8 9 0 7 6 6 2 5 2, penal code 6 2 6, the Williams Act," and that her son—s Section 504 protections and First and Fourth Amendment rights had been violated. She also said a large petition opposing disciplinary action had been circulated and cited "845 petition signers." "If I need to go to the next level to pursue legal action, I will," she said, adding that her goal is accountability and not monetary gain.

Hasson asked whether grants and funding secured for student media programs would be reallocated if Career and Technical Education (CTE) was moved under a different administrative unit. She said she wanted answers about who controls grant funds and whether program money would be reassigned under the proposed reorganization.

Hasson concluded by urging trustees to act to protect students and parents— rights and to ensure investigations are impartial and timely. The board took no formal action during public comment; the item to which Hasson referred remained on the agenda for closed session discussion.