Teachers’ union asks board for sustained partnership; parent urges more special‑education support at Santa Rita
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Summary
Allison White of the Los Altos Teachers Association urged the board to maintain year‑round partnership with educators and raised the local impact of a potential Prop 55 expiration. A Santa Rita parent described escalating behavioral and special‑education needs and asked the board to address staffing and IEP delays.
Representatives of district educators and a parent used the public comment time at the Dec. 15 Los Altos School District board meeting to press for stronger, ongoing collaboration with the board and to demand better special‑education supports at Santa Rita Elementary.
Allison White, speaking for the Los Altos Teachers Association, said educators want ‘‘a relationship grounded in mutual respect, open communication, and shared responsibility’’ rather than engagement only during campaign cycles. White said LATA and CTA are working on a state initiative to extend Proposition 55 on the November 2026 ballot and estimated the expiration of Prop 55 would reduce district revenue by about $691,000 annually in Los Altos.
Parent Jessica Mullin (Mullen) told trustees Santa Rita has experienced an increase in behavioral incidents and gaps in equitable support. She asked why some students who need aides do not have them, why it is difficult to obtain IEPs, and why playground and library facilities at Santa Rita lag compared with other schools. ‘‘Equitable means everyone getting what they need,’’ Mullin said, asking the board to advocate for more consistent support across sites.
Trustees acknowledged the comments and incorporated some of the concerns into subsequent budget discussion, asking staff for follow‑up on staffing levels and special‑education resources.
No formal action was taken during public comment; staff was asked to review the issues and report back.