Parents and teachers press Washington Unified to address staff safety, unauthorized recordings and pay; Riverbank staff defend new principal

Dozens of speakers used public comment time at the Oct. 23 Washington Unified School District meeting to press the board on two interrelated concerns: growing community friction that district employees say has included unauthorized filming and harassment, and long‑running disputes over compensation for classified staff and teachers.

Maria Grijalva of the Latino Information and Resource Center told the board she had filed an HR complaint alleging that a Spanish‑speaking parent at Riverbank Elementary was followed and confronted by Principal Katie Rodriguez after the parent failed to sign in precisely. Grijalva said the principal called police within minutes and later filed a police report that the parent had refused to leave; Grijalva said that account was not accurate. "We filed an HR complaint against the principal because she was denying a reasonable accommodation," Grijalva said.

Multiple Riverbank staff and parents spoke in support of Principal Katie Rodriguez. Teacher Judy Moreno said Rodriguez and the administrative team have "completely transformed the culture on campus" and described unauthorized filming and verbal attacks directed at staff and students. "Educators should never ever have to feel threatened and intimidated for doing their jobs," Moreno said.

Riverbank teachers also described safety concerns when community members record staff or interact with students online. Fourth‑grade teacher Carissa Cruz said the school has become a place where "students know expectations" and that unauthorized recording and online interaction with underage students is unacceptable. Melissa Shelton, a Riverbank science teacher, said the campus felt safe and stable under the new leadership, but that compensation for overnight trips and base pay do not reflect the responsibilities staff take on.

Union and classified‑staff leaders used their reports earlier in the meeting to press related points about pay and the treatment of paraprofessionals. Ruth Pagano Tern (CSEA) and representatives of the Washington School Teachers Association raised concerns about grant‑funded paraeducator positions, retention bonuses that were not approved in bargaining, and use of grant funds for stipends that exclude classified employees. "When the lowest paid positions and the only ones, quote, potentially subject to being laid off are not given access to stipends, what message does that send?" Pagano Tern asked.

WSTA representatives and multiple speakers called for more competitive teacher pay to retain staff and pointed to vacancies in specialized roles on the district job site. Several speakers described the human consequences of staffing strains: teachers relying on substitutes, long‑term substitutes in place for special‑education services, and staff who fear losing health coverage.

Board President Kirby Gonzales and other trustees acknowledged the public comments and said the district would follow up. Trustees and Superintendent Dr. Hildreth thanked speakers for their vulnerability and asked staff to provide additional information to the board on campus supports, how students and families are advised about available mental‑health and counseling services, and the district’s process for screening and evaluating substitutes.

No board disciplinary action was taken at the meeting; the incidents raised by public speakers were entered into the record and, where commenters said they had filed HR complaints, the board said staff would follow the established personnel and safety procedures.