Students and parents urge board to reinstate Edison cheer coach amid investigations

Dozens of students, parents and volunteer coaches urged the Stockton Unified School District Board of Trustees to reinstate Coach Tai, the head coach of Edison High Schoolcheer, during an extended public-comment period. Speakers described canceled practices, strained team cohesion and emotional distress among athletes and said a single parentcomplainant had repeatedly targeted the program.

"This district is not just somewhere I worked or volunteered, but I'm a product of SUSD," said Tyresa Sasaki, who identified herself as a coach and described long personal ties to district programs. Multiple students and family members followed with personal testimonies. "It breaks my heart that my coach won't be able to be here anymore," said Gloria Monzo, a senior at Edison High, adding that she and teammates credited the coach for building discipline and confidence. Several student speakers said they had never experienced misconduct or behavior that put them at risk and asked the board to step in on behalf of students.

Supporters described Coach Taialso identified in testimony as Coach Trina or Coach Das providing financial or logistical help for students, hosting team-bonding activities and ensuring broad participation. "Coach Tai made sure that everyone had the opportunity to participate," student Allesie Garcia said. Coaches and alumni also testified about the program's recent improved performance and the difficulty of maintaining continuity when practices are canceled because of investigations.

Board members acknowledged the emotional testimony and said they would respect confidentiality where personnel or student-safety matters require it. Vice President Shauna Priest reminded the room that "no staff member should feel unsafe or unsupported due to harassment" and said the district must balance supporting students with ensuring staff are protected and investigations are conducted appropriately.

The board did not take an immediate public-action vote at the meeting. Trustees heard a range of calls: several speakers asked the board to return the coach to her position, while others urged that processes be followed and safety preserved. President Sophia Cologne closed public comment and proceeded to agenda items. The district staff indicated some personnel and safety matters had been handled in closed session earlier in the meeting.

Next steps: The board meeting record shows trustees acknowledged the comments and that related personnel issues were handled in closed session; the public record at this meeting does not show a vote to reverse or change personnel actions related to the coaching position.