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Parents, alumni and students urge Los Alamitos board to reinstate choir director David Mollenkamp
Summary
Dozens of parents, alumni and current students told the Los Alamitos Unified School District board they want David Mollenkamp returned to his role leading the high school show-choir program, praising his awards, inclusion of students with special needs and the program —ommunity he built; the board said it cannot comment on personnel matters publicly.
Dozens of parents, alumni and students used the district board public-comment period to urge the Los Alamitos Unified School District board to reconsider personnel action involving David Mollenkamp, the high school choir director, saying his leadership has had long-term benefits for students.
Speakers said Mollenkamp has built a nationally recognized show-choir program and supported students with high needs. "David made this inclusion possible," said Dr. Gail Singer Chang, a parent of a former choir student, describing how Mollenkamp accommodated an aide and adapted rehearsals so a student with autism could participate. Parents and alumni repeatedly described him as a mentor who "saved" or "changed" students' lives and pointed to the program's competitive record as evidence of the choir's strength under his leadership.
Several speakers acknowledged that Mollenkamp has faced health and personal challenges but urged the board to weigh his history of student support and the program's community value. "This is not about asking for a special favor; we are here to demand fairness," said Christopher Olas, a retired naval officer and parent, during public comment.
Superintendent Dr. Pulver thanked speakers for their testimony but reminded the room that state law and personnel confidentiality limit what district officials and the board can say about active personnel matters in public sessions. "The Brown Act does limit board members from responding directly to public comment," Dr. Pulver told the meeting, adding that the board is not taking any official action that evening on the matter and that it will follow district policy and legal obligations.
No formal personnel action was taken during the open meeting. The public-comment segment lasted well over the board's usual allotment after members voted earlier in the meeting to move public comment ahead of presentations and to extend the time to accommodate the number of speakers. The superintendent and board members said they were listening to the community testimony and reiterated a commitment to due process and confidentiality.
The meeting moved on to scheduled presentations and consent items; the board adjourned to a closed session at the end of the agenda. The board has not announced any personnel decision on this item at the close of the meeting.
