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Parents and counselors urge board to keep Equity & Access staff amid proposed cuts
Summary
Multiple parents, staff and community organizations urged the board not to reduce or dismantle the Equity & Access department, stressing its support for more than 1,000 McKinney‑Vento students and pleading to retain Maritza Cabeza's position.
Dozens of residents and employees used the meeting's public comment period to press the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District to preserve its Equity & Access staffing, describing the department as a "lifeline" for families experiencing homelessness and other hardships.
Several speakers recounted personal experiences in which equity staff connected families to housing, supplies, counseling and graduation supports. "She has been very, very supportive for the last five years," said Erica Tikuru, who addressed the board about the help she and her children received. Others described how district staff helped students access IEP evaluations, college transition supports and emergency resources.
Flora Lascano, who identified herself as an employee and parent, said the Equity & Access team supports more than 1,000 McKinney‑Vento students and more than 100 foster and probation youth and urged the board to "please reconsider this decision and truly put yourselves in the shoes of the students and families whose lives will be impacted." Britney Andrade, an elementary school counselor, told the board the district's homeless and foster youth graduation rate reflected the department's effectiveness and asked the trustees to include the position in the coming budget.
Superintendent Roach responded during the staff report that Equity & Access would not be closed as a department but that staffing adjustments across departments outside the classroom are being reviewed, and that the district cannot comment on individual personnel actions at a public meeting.
Speakers urged the board to weigh human impacts alongside budget targets as trustees deliberate the fiscal stabilization plan and staffing alignments. Several requested additional public information on any proposed changes and direct outreach to families who rely on the services.
What happens next: The board acknowledged the public comments and the superintendent said the district will continue staffing reviews while maintaining the department; speakers asked for formal reconsideration of any proposed cuts and for follow-up communication with families and staff.
