Parents, students and alumni urge Benicia Unified board to reinstate beloved teacher called “Coach T”

Dozens of students, parents and former colleagues packed the Benicia Unified School Board meeting on Dec. 19 to urge trustees to reinstate a popular Benicia High School teacher repeatedly identified in public comment as “Coach T.” Speakers described the teacher as a 25‑year educator and mentor who provided long after‑school tutoring, extracurricular supervision and emotional support to students.

"He was a safe space for teachers as well," said Leland Simmons, recalling that Coach T's classroom was open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and functioned as a hub for students and staff. "There's no safe space for them to go anymore." (public comment)

Several parents and alumni described academic consequences they said followed the teacher's removal. "Students are still not on course for AP exams, and still no clarity on the future of their instruction," said Daniel Delgado, who told trustees the district scheduled board meetings at times that make student attendance difficult. Multiple students described being placed on online platforms and falling behind in AP coursework.

Longtime educators and retirees urged trustees to weigh the teacher's entire record before imposing permanent discipline. "If administration feels the need to make an example, I respectfully urge you to look beyond Coach T," said Amy Delago, listing prior incidents where more serious misconduct, she alleged, received lighter discipline.

Speakers asked for proportional discipline or restorative approaches rather than dismissal. Mike Manahan, who said he served for years in human resources roles, told trustees the California Education Code allows discretion in disciplinary decisions and urged reconsideration. "This provides the board with a genuine opportunity to consider imposing less severe disciplinary action and to potentially reinstate Coach T," he said. (public comment)

District staff and the board did not take action during public comment. President Grubbs said the board would consider the testimony before adjourning into a closed session later in the evening to address personnel matters.

What happens next: The board indicated it would receive the public input, proceed with the scheduled closed‑session item on personnel and follow required legal procedures. Trustees did not announce a reversal of the earlier personnel decision during open session.

Reporting note: The transcript identifies the speaker collectively as "Coach T"; the board's public record uses formal personnel identifiers. The article describes statements made during public comment and the board's stated procedural steps; it does not assert facts about the underlying personnel investigation that were not discussed on the public record.