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Residents press Chandler Unified on student safety, language access and inclusivity during public comment
Summary
During the Oct. 22 meeting residents raised urgent concerns about student safety, alleged failures to respond to harassment, and the need for accessible outreach in multiple home languages. Speakers called for mandatory grooming recognition training, transparent investigations, and improved translation and accessibility at board events.
Several public commenters used the board’s open‑call period on Oct. 22 to press the district on student safety, language access and accommodations for people with disabilities.
Lisa Calderon thanked bus drivers during National School Bus Safety Week and urged community support for the district bond and override outreach. Deborah Matiabas praised the board’s transparency on the superintendent search and urged survey outreach to include Chandler’s diverse home languages.
Bridget Vega delivered a sustained and pointed public comment alleging that alleged harassment and grooming at several campuses had been downplayed by administrators, that students experienced retaliation when they reported concerns, and that parents were being asked to sign nondisclosure agreements. Vega said: “Silence doesn't protect children. It protects predators.” She called for mandatory grooming‑recognition training and for the district to stop relying on NDAs when incidents involve children.
Zaina Pujanovsky urged the board to ensure the superintendent search survey and outreach materials are accessible to non‑English speakers and reminded the board of civil‑rights obligations cited in public comment. Noah James Markham requested improved hearing‑access accommodations for board events (T‑coil connectivity, ASL interpreters and reserved seating) and said he was offended by past comments about English proficiency.
Board members did not take action during public comment but acknowledged the remarks and discussed the forthcoming superintendent search outreach and language‑access plans during later agenda items.
