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Community speakers press PYLUSD board over allegations tied to former superintendent and USI project
Summary
Dozens of community members used public comment to demand accountability, defend former superintendent Alex Chernis, and raise allegations about the Universal Sports Institute (USI), contract payments and alleged violations of public‑records and contracting rules. Trustees heard accusations and requests for evidence but took no immediate personnel action.
Dozens of residents addressed the Placentia‑Yorba Linda Unified School District Board of Education during extended public‑comment periods on April 8, focusing heavily on allegations tied to the former superintendent and the district’s Universal Sports Institute (USI) project.
Speakers on both sides of the debate filled the microphone. Gary (no last name) and Linda Cohn said they had distributed flyers praising the work of Dr. Alex Chernis and Dr. Gates and warned the community about what they described as a campaign to remove them (Gary; Linda Cohn). Dawn Miller, a former assistant superintendent, told the board that “Dr. Chernis has failed to follow all parts of these board policies,” and described instances in which she said the superintendent dismissed board information requests and spoke disrespectfully to trustees.
Other commenters offered more specific allegations. Leslie Alexander said she was told the USI program was moved from Casa Loma to Bernardo Yorba during a summer break without full board consultation, and questioned whether DSA approval had been bypassed. Anita Lee alleged an early release of about $1.2 million to a training lab “prior to the receipt of any invoices,” and raised concerns about public‑contracting practices and possible gift‑of‑public‑funds issues.
Sam Majovich cited social‑media posts he said indicated a “long awaited investigation report is in,” and urged the board to consider possible conflicts and legal exposure if confidential information had been leaked. Several speakers said they had pursued public records and planned to submit thousands of pages of documentation for the board’s review.
Board members did not engage in extensive debate during public comment; the board’s rules for public comment were reiterated (items limited to closed‑session agenda topics before the earlier closed session). The board later reported out from closed session that it had approved a workers’ compensation claim (P Y L21016982) by unanimous vote but did not announce personnel action related to the allegations made in public comment.
What happens next: Speakers repeatedly asked for presentation of underlying audits and records. Trustees asked staff to gather and post missing audit pages and said the board expects staff will bring relevant documents — including any materials suitable for public release — to future meetings or closed sessions as appropriate.
