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Teachers and community raise transfer, IB and charter concerns; students ask for robotics grant
Summary
Public commenters urged the board to rescind an involuntary teacher transfer, asked about protections for site‑funded IB-trained teachers, raised concerns about a charter school's safety and transparency, and students requested a district grant to attend the FIRST Robotics World Championship.
Several members of the San Juan Unified community used the public comment period to press the board on personnel decisions, program continuity and student opportunities.
Sonia Takanikos, who identified herself as a 20‑year San Juan employee and music-program teacher, said she received an April 6 involuntary-transfer notice "without warning, without explanation, and without my site administrator being informed." She told the board that under the contract teachers do not lose district-wide seniority when they transfer and asked the board to rescind her transfer and provide a clear written explanation. "I respectfully ask that you rescind my involuntary transfer. Provide a clear, written sorry," Takanikos said.
Natalie Hansen, who teaches at Mira Loma High School, said two IB‑trained Mira Loma teachers (named in comments as Sonia Takanikos and Joshua Kinter) received surplus notices and asked whether replacements would be IB‑trained and who would pay for training if replacements are not already trained. "I urge the district to consider the financial investment, expertise, and unique contributions of IB‑trained teachers before the final decisions are made," Hansen said.
Ahmed Shah Abbas, speaking as a member of the Afghan community, said he was calling for transparency and accountability regarding concerns that affect community safety and trust around Sunshine Charter School. He asked the board to review and address community concerns, saying he wanted actions built "on trust, integrity, and safety."
Students Trinity LaPointe and Ilsa Rao from Rio Americano High School's Raider Robotics described qualifying for the FIRST Robotics World Championship in Houston and asked the board to consider a district grant to help cover travel and registration costs. They noted extensive fundraising efforts and said district support would prevent students from missing the opportunity because of cost.
Board members did not directly respond to individual personnel questions during public comment (the Brown Act limits board replies), but the superintendent can refer personnel matters to staff for follow-up, and trustees acknowledged the public comments and noted they could be referred to staff for investigation or response outside the meeting.
