Community members urge board to explain and reverse demotion of longtime administrator Mr. Hovey

Dozens of community members addressed the Colton Joint Unified School District Board on May 1, urging the board to reverse or publicly explain recent personnel actions affecting longtime administrator Mr. Hovey.

Frank Romo, who identified himself as a Grand Terrace resident and volunteer with the high‑school band, said the decision to remove Mr. Hovey from his administrative role was harmful. "The decision to effectively demote mister Helvey from administration position is not just wrong. It's an insult to everything our district claims stand for," Romo said, later adding that the move sends a message that "dedication, excellence, and community loyalty are not valued at CJUSD."

Several alumni, parents and current students gave similar testimony. Abigail Vega, a Grand Terrace alumna, said the administrator "has been a positive role model" and that learning of the demotion "broke my heart." Lorna Nichols told the board she had gathered a petition "signed by approximately 400 of your constituents" asking the district to restore Mr. Hovey to a leadership position or at least provide clearer documentation of the reasons for the personnel change.

Several speakers asked for an investigation and a public paper trail. Julia Frunkos said she "implore[d] the board to please ask for a thorough investigation" and requested documentation showing what, if any, personnel interventions occurred prior to the reassignment.

Board President Dan Flores heard the public comments but did not announce any immediate action or reversal related to Mr. Hovey during the open‑session readouts. Board members repeatedly noted that personnel matters are constrained by state rules on employee privacy and closed‑session procedures; at the end of the meeting several other closed‑session items were read out (see separate reports). The board approved other personnel appointments and a settlement in closed session but did not report a decision in the meeting minutes or open‑session readout regarding the requests to reinstate Mr. Hovey.

Multiple commenters also raised concerns about fear of retaliation among current employees who support Mr. Hovey. Lorna Nichols said many teachers "are in fear of retaliation which is horrible," and public commenters urged that the board ensure a fair, transparent review of any personnel actions. Several speakers asked that the board either restore Mr. Hovey to an administrative role at the high school or publicize the reasons and documentation that led to the district's decision.

The meeting record shows no public vote or formal action on those requests during open session. The board’s final closed‑session report did include unrelated personnel approvals (coaches, volunteers) and an appointment of Daniel Checo as assistant principal at Colton High School.