Employee alleges harassment and nondisclosure practices during public comment

During the public-comment period, a woman identifying herself as Ally, also known as "Miss Ford," told the board she was employed by the district two years ago and said she "endured vicious harassment and mistreatment" before being fired. She said she reported the conduct repeatedly to human resources and that HR failed to act, producing a settlement she described as insufficient to address accountability.

"When I took my complaints to our human resources after my termination, their failure to act resulted in a settlement that you so proudly referenced in your most recent attempt to silence me," Ally said. She told the board that district leaders had later said offers had been extended to her to discuss the fallout — a claim she denied, saying none of the district had contacted her until she spoke at the last meeting.

Ally urged the board to allow employees bound by nondisclosure agreements to speak publicly and said she would continue attending board meetings until the district could "commit and prove real protection for their employees." She offered to volunteer to help pursue reforms and asked the board to consider lifting nondisclosure obligations that she said have kept employees from speaking.

Board leadership acknowledged the comment. Separately during the public-comment period, board members and staff attempted to de-escalate a heated exchange between another speaker, Chris Miles, and the superintendent; board members agreed to attempt follow-up meetings with Miles and other concerned parties.

The board did not take action on personnel matters during the meeting. Policy and personnel complaints are generally handled through internal procedures; the public comment forum itself does not constitute an investigatory hearing into employment actions.