Parents, teachers and union urge Greenfield board to reconsider non‑reelection of five Mary Chapa staff

Dozens of parents, teachers and union leaders told the Greenfield Union School District Board of Trustees at its Feb. 19 meeting that the district should reconsider non‑relection decisions affecting five staff members at Mary Chapa Academy.

Teachers and parents described unexpected final conferences and a lack of written improvement plans. Denise Maxwell, a Mary Chapa teacher, said she was “completely blindsided” by a notice that she would not be recommended for renewal and that she had not been given scores or corrective guidance prior to the decision. Several speakers said they had received only verbal assurances earlier in the year that their work was satisfactory.

Jackie Santiago, a school social worker at Mary Childbaugh Academy, said she is currently the only licensed clinical social worker at GUSD and warned that losing that credentialed clinician would disrupt crisis response and risk‑assessment capacity. Santiago said school‑based counseling and suicide risk assessments require clinically trained staff and described measurable impacts of her work, including a claimed 63 percent reduction in fifth‑grade infractions tied to behavioral support groups.

Supporters also read letters and gave testimony on behalf of Maria Malagon (often spelled in speakers’ remarks as “Malagon/Malagón/Malagor”), a special day class (SDC) teacher cited repeatedly by parents and colleagues for strong classroom outcomes and stability in a position the district has struggled to staff. Multiple parents described academic or social‑emotional gains they attribute to the teacher; one parent asked, “Don’t let those excellent teachers go away.”

Norma Veenhan, president of the Greenfield Teachers Association, urged the board to review each case for documented evaluation processes, written communication, documented improvement plans and evidence of coaching or administration follow‑up before finalizing personnel actions. She asked the board to make decisions based on documented evidence and due process.

Students also addressed the board, asking why their teachers were being removed. Several speakers — including an academic coach, classroom aides and a district psychologist — said Mary Chapa’s recent test‑score gains and the school’s challenges recruiting special education staff make the non‑relection decisions particularly consequential for student continuity.

The board closed public comment and moved to closed session to consider an administrative panel recommendation on a student expulsion and other closed matters. The speakers who testified asked the board to visit the school sites and review documentation before taking final personnel action.

The meeting record shows extensive public comment but does not record a subsequent reversal of any non‑relection decisions; speakers urged the board to take further steps, including visitations and documentation reviews, before personnel actions are finalized.