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Teachers and parents press board on playground access and classified pay as students showcase leadership
Summary
During public comment, classified employee Cheryl Austin pressed the district on supervisor hires and low raises for classified staff, and special-education teacher Erica Henson urged replacing wood‑chip playground surfaces at Robert Bruce Elementary because they impede wheelchair access and cause injuries; student leaders were recognized earlier in the meeting.
Public comment at the Santa Maria Bonita School District board meeting highlighted staff pay and student accessibility concerns, while the board paused earlier to recognize student leaders and elementary athletic champions.
Cheryl Austin, a 30‑year classified employee, told the board she was troubled that the district advertised multiple food‑service supervisor openings at the same salary while classified employees await a modest cost‑of‑living increase. "We were told that the district did not have money... We deserve to be appreciated, to be treated fairly, nicely, and to get our ways," Austin said, urging the board to inspect school kitchens and reduce waste before expanding supervisory hires.
Several educators raised inclusion and training concerns. Desiree Felix, a physical‑education teacher with decades in the district, said she has "little to no help" for inclusion students and limited special‑education training, and asked the board for renewed support and clarity on staffing.
Erica Henson, a special‑education teacher at Robert Bruce Elementary, directly appealed to the board about playground surfacing. She described students who use wheelchairs and walkers struggling to cross wood‑chip surfaces and reported daily injuries and choking incidents related to loose chips. "The wood chips are a safety issue. Students are getting injured almost daily," Henson said, and urged the board to replace wood chips with an accessible surface that permits wheelchairs and walkers.
Earlier in the meeting the board recognized student leaders who led the pledge and delivered short remarks about leadership and activities. The board and staff applauded presentations from elementary athletic program leads and announced a showcase of student leadership projects scheduled for Friday.
What the board said: trustees thanked the speakers and acknowledged the concerns. Board leaders and staff said they would follow up in writing when appropriate and consider requests for additional information, including exploring options for playground surfacing and reviewing hiring and wage practices.
Next steps: the board directed staff to follow up on public‑comment requests, and speakers asked to return with more detail or to present again at a future meeting.
