Parents, students and coach urge Elk Grove Unified to reinstate Sheldon girls coach as concerns about charter-school bullying surface

Multiple parents, student-athletes and the coach herself addressed the board during the public-comment period on Jan. 13, pressing district leaders to reconsider the recent termination of Sheldon High girls varsity coach Haley Shaner and calling for greater transparency in how the district handled related complaints.

A 13-year-old freshman, whose letter was read by a parent, described how losing Coach Haley "hurt me and my teammates more than I can explain" and urged the board to "listen to the students who are living through this." Parent Bobby Kimmons told the board the controversy is "about judgment" and criticized athletic and school leadership for what he called minimal guidance and a lack of administrative oversight during a sensitive situation. He said coach Haley escalated student concerns to the athletic director and followed directions given by administrators.

Brandy Gastonelle, a community member and longtime team supporter, and other parents asked the district to reinstate the coach and to improve communication protocols for significant personnel decisions. Several student speakers said Coach Haley provided emotional support and stability, and one student said the program had been rebuilt and was now attracting college attention.

Coach Haley Shaner spoke herself, describing the program she led as emphasizing "sisterhood, accountability and excellence," saying she had dedicated time and resources to the team and that her players had "lost stability" after her removal.

Separately, parents raised systemic concerns about bullying and alleged sexual assault at the California Montessori Project (a charter within the district). Speakers including Mark Troxell and Jay Troxell described repeated reports and what they called insufficient investigation results and inconsistent corrective action. One parent said that after formal complaints the school often found no policy violation, leaving affected students and families without meaningful remedies.

The Board President thanked public commenters and said "appropriate district staff will follow up with concerns presented during public comment." No formal board action or vote on the personnel or charter complaints occurred during the meeting.

Claims and status: parents alleged procedural failures and insufficient notification related to questioning of students; the board recorded these complaints in public comment and directed staff follow-up, leaving the allegations unresolved in the meeting record.