Parents and staff raise due‑process, consolidation and staffing concerns during public comment

During the public‑comment portion of the April 28 meeting, multiple residents warned the board about the human impacts of consolidation and staffing changes and asked for procedural review in a pending personnel case.

Derek Franz asked the board to “stay” a May 4 administrative hearing, alleging a procedural crisis and withdrawal of legal counsel that left the affected teacher unrepresented. “We demand a stay and a thorough, independent investigation,” Franz said, urging the board to intervene and to ensure due process.

Other speakers described community anxiety over an upcoming consolidation process. Grace Turnbull outlined what she called the emotional cycle of consolidation for families—shock, denial, anger and eventual acceptance—and urged restoration of mental‑health supports that Turnbull said had been cut during budget balancing. Anna Liberta urged the superintendent and board to prioritize clear pathways and supports for struggling learners, recounting her own difficulties navigating services for a dyslexic child.

Joanie Baker, president of the Association of Classified Employees, said the district avoided a reduction in force for licensed staff but that classified staff face sharp impacts: “The reality is stark — 139 of our colleagues will not be returning next year,” she told the board, warning of reduced hours and lost health benefits for many classified employees.

Board members accepted public comment and noted the issues for follow‑up; several speakers asked for independent review, more transparent communication about consolidation criteria and rapid restoration of supports for students during any transitions.