Teachers and staff allege bullying, retaliation and call for superintendent not to return; union urges immediate action

Public comment at the Aug. 7 Antioch Unified board meeting included multiple allegations of workplace bullying, retaliation against staff who raised concerns, and calls for the board to prevent the superintendent from returning from leave.

Kim Ainson, a district employee, told the board she faced an involuntary transfer into a hallway workspace, denial of ADA accommodations after providing medical documentation, a $1,500 pay dock that took a week to resolve and an ongoing investigation she says began after she raised concerns about workplace bullying and procurement procedures. "The district refuses to meet the requirements of accommodations for my ADA medical condition," she said, asking the board to investigate and ensure speaking up does not lead to retaliation.

Bob Carson, president of the Antioch Education Association, said the union believes employees who reported bullying and harassment and called the continued presence of the alleged perpetrator "disgusting." Carson identified Maintenance Director Kenneth Turnage as the source of bullying complaints and urged the board to act: "The fact that this has gone on publicly for over a year and hasn't been resolved is ridiculous," he said.

Celia Medina Owens, speaking as a parent, asked trustees to consider allowing Superintendent Stephanie Anelo not to return, saying "she has broken that trust" and alleging the superintendent's actions have caused fractures in the community. Other public commenters referenced prior media reporting and expressed concern that leave arrangements shield employees from accountability.

Board members did not take an immediate personnel action at the meeting. Trustees and staff acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations; HR representatives said they would follow up on individualized comments where appropriate and that some investigatory processes are underway. When asked whether survey respondents would face retaliation, staff said surveys are processed after board acceptance of resignations and that individually reported complaints are followed up with supervisors when warranted.

Claims and responses in the hearing remain unresolved on the record: several commenters made specific allegations about individuals and conduct; the district described processes in place for investigation and follow up but did not announce outcomes at the meeting.

Formal actions: none taken at this meeting on these allegations. The board asked staff to follow up on complaints and to report back as appropriate.