Community demands answers after Norco principal's dismissal; parents allege mishandled hazing and seek investigations

A lengthy and emotional public‑comment period drew dozens to the podium to ask the Corona‑Norco board for answers about the sudden dismissal of Norco High School principal Dr. Beo and to press for investigations into alleged misconduct within the Norco High baseball program.

Teachers and staff described Dr. Beo as a transformative leader who raised GPAs, expanded academic and arts programs and improved graduation rates. Ellen Orgo, a Norco High language‑arts teacher, read a multi‑page list of Dr. Beo’s accomplishments and a staff petition asking the board to reconsider the dismissal, saying that the action came via unofficial channels and surprised many staff.

Several speakers tied the principal’s dismissal to the handling of alleged criminal hazing and sexual‑assault incidents within the Norco Varsity baseball program. Greg White and others asked the board to place district athletic director William Gun and varsity coach Gary Parcell on administrative leave and to commission an independent investigation into whether procedures were followed and whether confidential information was leaked, arguing that district processes undermined the safety and trust of students. Parents and a student who says he reported a sexual‑assault incident described punitive treatment of the reporting student and called for accountability.

Speakers also urged clarity about how the district reached the personnel decision and asked that the board consider the educational consequences at Norco High, including program gains the school achieved while Dr. Beo led the campus. Supporters held up petitions and described substantial increases in library circulation, pathway completions and other measures credited to Dr. Beo’s leadership.

District leadership responded publicly by saying personnel matters are handled privately but pledged to ask questions, investigate and exercise due diligence; the superintendent told attendees that the board listens and will reflect on the concerns shared at the podium.

Why it matters: The comments combine concerns about leadership changes with allegations of mishandled student safety incidents, raising community trust and transparency issues and prompting calls for independent review and possible administrative leaves.

What’s next: The board and superintendent said they will investigate personnel and student‑safety concerns; speakers asked for explicit actions (independent investigation, administrative leave) but the transcript records no immediate board action on those requests.