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Parents and a teacher at community forum accuse district of mishandling investigations
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Summary
During public comment at the Board of Education meeting, speakers alleged the district mishandled an investigation, described inconsistent discipline and called the administration''s approach punitive; the board said it could not discuss personnel specifics in open session.
Several parents and a longtime teacher used the Board of Education''s community forum to raise concerns about the district''s handling of personnel investigations and disciplinary actions.
Allison Alexander, who identified herself during the forum, said the district''s administration repeatedly misrepresented pieces of evidence during a recent inquiry and that the process felt punitive rather than corrective. "A lot is going on with the district," she said, and added that the outcome of an investigation had been characterized as "unfounded" while, she said, punitive measures followed. Alexander said she welcomed board members to meet privately to discuss details.
Brian Alessandra, who identified himself as a parent and a 21-year teaching veteran, described being barred from a prior meeting and said he experienced what he called inconsistent standards and selective enforcement. Alessandra said he had been suspended in a matter he described as "unfounded" and warned that selective policy enforcement "creates fear instead of professionalism." He said he was not seeking reinstatement to a job but wanted the board to consider the effects of inconsistent application of policy.
The chair reiterated the board''s community forum procedures and noted that state and federal laws limit open discussion of personnel matters. The chair cited confidentiality and legal limits on discussing specific individuals in public meetings and said the board could hear general concerns but could not address specifics on the record.
Other community speakers thanked coaches and staff for student programs and, separately, a former volunteer coach asked to speak privately about a suspected child-safety matter rather than discuss it in open session.
The board did not take formal action in response to the allegations during the meeting. The chair encouraged private follow-up where appropriate and reminded attendees that personnel matters are often confidential and handled outside open session.
