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Staff and community speakers press Colton Joint Unified trustees on school leadership and workplace complaints
Summary
Public commenters urged the board to preserve leadership continuity at Sycamore Hills and asked trustees to review a detailed resignation package alleging a hostile work environment at Zimmerman Elementary; another speaker criticized a large security-conference expense and sought staff follow-up.
Public comment at the Colton Joint Unified board meeting included multiple speakers urging the trustees to act on site leadership and workplace concerns.
Melissa Rangel, a school counselor at Sycamore Hills Elementary, told the board she was speaking on behalf of her staff after the announced departure of principal Dr. Lisa Manes. Rangel said staff value continuity and urged trustees to appoint the current assistant principal, Tamara Moyers, to provide a seamless transition. She left a staff-signed letter with the board and listed qualities staff want in a successor: student-centered leadership, clear communication, visibility on campus and support for counseling and social-emotional learning.
"We strongly believe that appointing Ms. Moyers as our next principal would provide a seamless transition and ensure the continued momentum of our school's advancement," Rangel said.
Adam Angulo, who identified himself as a community liaison at Zimmerman Elementary, said he had resigned earlier in the week and had submitted documentation, including a timeline and incident reports, alleging a hostile work environment under site leadership. Angulo said he followed district policy, sought union guidance and documented concerns before speaking publicly; he asked the board to review his materials and to strengthen staff safeguards.
"I documented everything. I submitted a detailed timeline of events, an incident report, and my year end reflection," Angulo said. The board president thanked him and said staff would follow up with him directly.
Lisa Villa, a Colton resident who identified herself as a former security employee, criticized district decisions she said undermine staff dignity and singled out a recent security conference she said cost the district $182,000. She asked trustees to consider redirecting such funds to practical needs such as radios for the security department.
Board President acknowledged the comments and said staff would follow up where appropriate. The board did not take immediate policy action during public comment but later directed staff to follow through on submitted materials and to return with requested reports relevant to contracts and program monitoring.
The public-comment items were placed on the record; the board later moved forward with the LCAP and budget presentations and the consent agenda.
