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Parents urge better secondary technology training and raise allegations about staff conduct at Barstow Unified meeting
Summary
Multiple public commenters told the board they need more secondary-level professional development on district technology and asked for fair investigations after safety- and conduct-related incidents; one parent, James Frasier, alleged staff forced a search and presented differing records, while another, David Hernandez, requested transparency around a complaint involving a principal and SRO interactions.
Several parents used the board’s public-comment period to press district leaders on training and to raise concerns about staff conduct and investigative steps.
Francesca Regalado, a high-school Spanish teacher, said secondary teachers received no professional-development sessions for new district technology this year and asked that the district include secondary staff when training is offered. "If you're going to offer training, if we're a unified district, it shouldn't just be elementary," she said, adding that teachers paid for and rearranged time to attend PD in previous years.
Two parents asked the board to review specific investigations. James Frasier said he was compelled on campus to empty his pockets and lift his sweater when school staff alleged he threatened an employee; after obtaining police records he said the report did not substantiate the district's claim and he described being given a stipulation to stay off campus. "When I picked up the report, it said nothing about the firearm," Frasier said. He told the board he now fears attending school events and asked members to review the documentation.
David Hernandez, a Skyline Elementary parent, described filing complaints about incidents involving Principal Banks and the school resource officer. He said an unofficial warning letter raised concerns about documentation and that he had been told the respondent was notified once an investigation began. "I simply want to ensure the transparency and I'm confident in the district to investigate thoroughly and fairly," Hernandez said.
Board members did not take immediate action during public comment but acknowledged the concerns; staff later presented procedures for public input and the district’s limitations under the Brown Act. No formal disciplinary outcomes or investigative findings were announced at the meeting.
