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Parents and community urge expedited review after Marshall Elementary teacher suspension
Summary
Multiple parents and community members urged the district to speed an investigation and restore a suspended Marshall kindergarten teacher, describing classroom disruption and poor communication; the board later reported closed-session action to approve charges and a suspension without naming the teacher in public minutes.
A steady stream of parents, volunteers and community leaders told the San Francisco Unified School District board that the temporary suspension of a Marshall Elementary kindergarten teacher has caused disruption, missed school days and community distress and asked the district to expedite its investigation and restore classroom stability.
At the start of public comment, parent Ronnie Curry said his daughter has missed 18 days of school after staff at Charles Drew incorrectly determined a skin condition was a communicable issue and removed the child from class. "They have not accessed that medical record," Curry said, urging the district to review records so students can return.
Several speakers focused on a Marshall kindergarten teacher identified in public comment as Andres Tobar (spelled variably in public remarks). Lloyd Rath, a long-time volunteer, described Mr. Tobar as an "exceptional teacher" and asked the district to ensure a "thorough but expeditious investigation." Multiple parents and community members characterized him as central to school community life and said poor communication from administrators has left families and staff confused and anxious.
"This process is tearing the school apart," parent Sasha Harris Cronin said, calling for restorative practices and clearer communication from the district. Isabelle Gutierrez said Marshall Elementary (which she described as about 70 percent Latino) needs teachers who understand the community and urged that the teacher be returned "tomorrow" if appropriate.
Union and community presenters urged caution and clarity in discipline procedures. Several speakers asked that any actions taken be restorative and transparent, and noted that absence of substitutes and other staffing problems have compounded disruption.
Later in the meeting the board read a closed-session report: it approved an employment contract for the chief of human resources by a public roll-call vote, then disclosed closed-session directions and outcomes. The board reported it had given direction to general counsel in a matter of anticipated litigation (vote reported as 6 ayes, 1 absent), approved a statement of charges and a resolution to dismiss one teacher (6 ayes, 1 absent) and approved a resolution to suspend one teacher without pay (6 ayes, 1 absent). The report did not name the teacher(s) in the public minutes.
The district did not provide a public timeline in this meeting for the investigation or identify the individual teacher in the closed-session disclosure. Parents present asked the board to prioritize timely, culturally competent communication and a transparent process that balances safety and due process.
