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Parent criticizes superintendent over crossing‑guard absences; board says city reinstated program
Summary
During closed‑session public comment, Darshan Smaller accused Superintendent Gonzales of failing to protect student safety after crossing guards were absent and said a single parent email was insufficient; the superintendent told the board he is coordinating with the City of Orange and exploring grant options while awaiting the city's formal proposal.
Darshan Smaller told the Orange Unified School District board during the closed‑session public comment period that the community had lost trust in Superintendent Gonzales and blamed the superintendent for what Smaller described as a failure to prevent crossing‑guard shortages that left students' commutes unsafe.
Smaller said parents and volunteers spent weeks campaigning to restore crossing guards and that the district’s single email to families was “insufficient.” He urged Gonzales to “do better, be better, or leave,” saying he had spent at least 40 hours organizing and pressing the city to reinstate the program.
Superintendent Gonzales later told the board he was encouraged by the City of Orange Council’s decision to reinstate the crossing‑guard program and that the district stands ready to collaborate if the city issues a formal proposal. Gonzales said the district will explore potential grant funding to support public‑safety solutions and emphasized ongoing safety training and planning with county partners.
Board members acknowledged the community’s advocacy and expressed appreciation for parents and volunteers who stepped in while the program was suspended. The board did not take formal disciplinary action at the meeting; the public comment was recorded as part of the closed‑session comment period.
