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Parents press Garvey Board on Emerson gate safety, Spanish-language staffing and bullying
Summary
During public comment Emerson parents raised ongoing concerns about an unsecured front gate and requested a full-time Spanish-speaking School Community Coordinator; a parent also described emotional bullying and questioned PBIS effectiveness.
Several Emerson parents used the public comment period at the Garvey Board's Dec. 11 meeting to press the district on campus safety and language access.
Emerson parent Sonia Barba said the front gate at Emerson remains an unresolved safety problem after three years, recounting multiple incidents in which students walked out of campus and urging the board to take stronger measures than cones and strips. Barba also urged that Nadia, Emerson's Spanish-speaking School Community Coordinator, be assigned full-time at the site to ensure Spanish-speaking families have access and a voice.
Board Member Ronald Trabanino translated comments on behalf of Maria Castro, who similarly asked for full-time Spanish-language staffing and equitable access. Another parent, Ariana Banuelos, described emotional and psychological bullying affecting students, said the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) approach has been insufficient in some cases, and urged the district to protect students who speak up and to respond more equitably and promptly to complaints.
Board members thanked the speakers and Superintendent Anita Chu said she would follow up. The board took no formal action during the meeting and directed staff to follow up with involved families, according to the minutes.
The public comment highlighted persistent campus safety, student welfare and language-access issues parents say require ongoing district attention.
