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Parents and advocates press Antioch Unified board for transparency after video shows hazing of a student with disabilities
Summary
At the Nov. 19 board meeting, numerous parents, advocates and residents urged Antioch Unified trustees to investigate a viral video showing alleged abuse of an Antioch High student with disabilities, called for independent oversight and demanded accountability for students and adult staff; the board said it is investigating and reported no closed‑session reportable action.
Dozens of community members told the Antioch Unified School District Board of Education on Nov. 19 that a recent video showing abuse of a student with a disability at Antioch High School exposed a deeper culture of silence and bullying.
"This is not what I want my community to be known for," said Jose Grejeda, identifying himself as a concerned Antioch taxpayer and college student, calling on the district to investigate and hold both students and adults accountable. Grejeda asked that coaches and the athletic director be relieved of duties pending inquiry.
Several advocates and parents described a pattern they said goes beyond a single incident. "This was not a single incident. It was a result of a culture of silence," said Elizabeth LaVasse, CEO of We Get It Foundation, who said she created public videos about the episode and has since faced retaliation. LaVasse asked the board for three actions: transparency, accountability beyond PR, and independent community oversight.
Other speakers, including Charlotte Luther of the We Get It Foundation, urged decisive disciplinary action and suggested removing the football program's privileges if warranted. Parent and disability‑advocacy group representatives asked the district to consider community‑based restorative options and partnerships to educate perpetrators about disability rights and inclusion.
Several public commenters noted legal constraints on what the district can disclose about ongoing investigations and student discipline. "I understand there are privacy and confidentiality rules that prevent the district from divulging specific adopted and ongoing measures," said Juan Magpoc, a member of the children’s disability group All Children Allowed, while urging meaningful remedies and community engagement in any sanction or restorative process.
Superintendent Dr. Williams and trustees repeatedly acknowledged community concern and said the board was taking the incident seriously. Trustee Brown said the board members "are really concerned" and that trustees are "doing everything that we can do to address it and address it the fair and right way." The board reported it had taken no reportable action in closed session at the Nov. 19 meeting.
Speakers also pressed the board on related topics: better supports for students with disabilities, clearer communication about discipline outcomes without breaching confidentiality, and more robust prevention programs. Several advocates recommended independent oversight and community involvement in any review of district processes.
The meeting record shows a sustained public demand for both transparent reporting about corrective steps and structural changes to prevent recurrence. The board did not announce any formal disciplinary outcomes at the meeting and said further steps would follow through appropriate investigatory channels.
Next steps: board members said staff would follow up; no public timeline for external oversight or additional disclosures was announced at the Nov. 19 meeting.
