Parents, students accuse Franklin High teacher of grooming; board urged to act
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Summary
Multiple public speakers at the Stockton Unified board meeting accused a Franklin High teacher, identified by commenters as Ronald Tankersley, of years-long grooming and inappropriate conduct; parents said the district'9s response has been slow and asked the board for immediate protective steps and accountability.
Multiple parents and at least one student told the Stockton Unified School District board of trustees on Tuesday that a Franklin High School teacher has groomed and sexually harassed students for years and urged the board to act to protect pupils.
"This man is still at work," parent Marina Herrera told the board, saying she filed a police report on March 6 alleging that teacher Ronald Tankersley had groomed her daughter for three years. "We are here to protect our kids. We need to make a change because no kid should have to finish school like this being afraid." (Marina Herrera, public comment.)
Student Lehi Herrera said she reported similar conduct stretching back to her freshman year and described unwanted touching, inappropriate comments and gifts she said the teacher gave her. "I don't feel safe at Franklin anymore," the student said, asking trustees to remove the teacher from the classroom during the investigation. (Lehi Herrera, public comment.)
The board did not take immediate action on the allegations during the public-comment period. District staff previously stated multiple investigations were ongoing in response to complaints; speakers at the meeting urged the board to ensure a transparent, prompt and victim-centered process. A district official earlier told a complainant that an investigation was underway and that the constituent services office had been slow to respond.
Why it matters: The parents'9 accounts allege repeated misconduct by an employee in a public school setting and raise questions about the district'9s timeline and measures to protect students while investigations proceed. Board members responded in praxis by reiterating the district'9s commitment to student safety in subsequent agenda items.
What was said and what happens next: Herrera asked for administrative leave and more rapid, transparent documentation of the district'9s response. The board affirmed that safety and respectful environments are a priority and that the district does not condone intimidation; trustees and staff referenced existing processes for handling personnel matters initiated in closed session. The specific personnel decisions and any potential administrative leave were not recorded on the public record during the meeting. The board did not vote on a personnel action during public session tied to these comments.
Claims and evidence: Public testimony included specific allegations naming the teacher and describing timespan, behavior, and referenced contact with police. The board'9s public record at this meeting contains the callers'9 statements and references to an ongoing investigation; it does not include findings, formal disciplinary outcomes, or criminal determinations. Additional documentation and the district'9s investigatory records would be needed to determine outcomes.
Next steps reported by the district: Board members and staff reiterated that the district is committed to safe, supportive environments and will follow appropriate investigative and personnel procedures. The board encouraged anyone with new information to share it through the district'9s established complaint channels so it may be assessed under the district'9s investigative and human-resources processes.
The testimony by multiple parents and a student closes with an appeal to the board for expedited action; the board moved on to its agenda without a public vote on personnel matters. The district said it would continue to handle personnel matters under Board policy and state law.
