Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents press board for immigrant‑protections policy; one parent raises abuse allegation
Summary
During public comment, parents urged the board to adopt clear protections for immigrant families and for staff to receive 'know your rights' training; a parent also alleged a child reported being hit by Principal Lobianco and said the administration had protected abusers, a claim not addressed by a formal board action at the meeting.
Two public commenters used the board's public‑comment period to press the Kingston board on safety and equity concerns.
Lee Bonvassuto, identifying himself as a parent of a third grader, accused the administration of protecting people who have abused children and said an 8‑year‑old had told his mother that "when he was 4, Principal Lobianco hit him." Bonvassuto urged the board to hold administrators accountable and to stop silencing voices. The allegation was presented during the public‑comment period; the board did not discuss personnel or take action on the allegation in public session, citing limits in what can be discussed publicly under privacy and bargaining rules.
Anna Jacobs, a parent who said she attends meetings regularly, urged the district to adopt clear, public policies to protect immigrant families and requested "know your rights" training for staff. Jacobs cited national incidents in which families avoided school after immigration enforcement operations and said strong, clear local policy and staff training could prevent similar occurrences locally.
District representatives and principals later emphasized preparedness and the availability of staff and safety protocols. Principal Berardi said she and her team feel supported by district leadership and that staff are organized to respond "if and when something like that were to ever happen." The board reiterated that privacy laws and collective bargaining limit the details that can be discussed in public session and that formal personnel or investigatory steps cannot be pursued in open board meetings.
The transcript records these comments as public testimony and no formal board disciplinary or investigatory action was announced at the meeting regarding the allegations.
