Community speakers urge PYLUSD to reinstate Dr. Isaiah Gates after letter found allegations 'not sustained'

Several community members used the board’s public comment period on Sept. 9 to press the Placentia‑Yorba Linda Unified School District to reinstate Dr. Isaiah Gates, whom speakers said was cleared by district counsel yet remains on administrative leave.

Miss Berdowski read from a letter she attributed to district attorney Todd Robbins and said, "The allegation against Dr. Gates ... was not sustained," and asked why, if cleared, he remained sidelined. Multiple other speakers later repeated that characterization and said the district is paying Dr. Gates (public commenters cited a $255,000 annual salary) while also paying an interim to perform his job, describing the arrangement as a waste of taxpayer dollars and a potential source of legal exposure.

Crystal Noble and others urged the board to restore Dr. Gates, saying the continued leave harms trust and raises the risk of discrimination claims. Board leadership did not announce a reinstatement during the meeting; instead trustees noted that personnel matters had been discussed during closed session and that Resolution 25‑08 directing notices had been approved earlier in the evening.

The concerns surfaced during public comment and were voiced by several speakers; no formal motion to reinstate Dr. Gates was made on the record at this meeting. Attorney Todd Robbins was referenced by public commenters as the author of the investigation letter; the board did not reverse personnel action at the meeting and did not provide further personnel details in open session.