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Students and community speakers urge preservation of SEI funding and demand action on personnel allegations
Summary
Multiple public commenters urged the board to protect $700 million in Senny/SEI funding and criticized proposed cuts; several speakers also alleged historical cover-ups of sexual abuse by named district staff (Jesus Angulo, Maria Sotomayor) and called for personnel action and transparency while noting an ongoing state education inquiry.
Public comment at the committee’s May 19 meeting focused on two themes: protecting targeted student funding and raising allegations about district personnel.
On funding, a number of student speakers and community members urged the board to preserve the full $700 million in Senny/SEI allocations and to avoid cuts that would hit arts, counselors, AVID and other student supports. A Roosevelt High School junior said the proposed cuts would undercut programs that provide essential services and asked the district to be transparent about the stabilization plan’s impacts on high-need schools.
On personnel allegations, several remote and in-person speakers alleged past mishandling of a sexual-abuse report at Southeast High School and said two district employees—identified by speakers as Jesus Angulo and Maria Sotomayor—were retained and later promoted despite having pled no contest to related charges in 2007. Speakers also criticized a district official, named in comments as Latasha Buck, for saying the matter was not her concern because it occurred “20 years ago.” Those commenters called for immediate termination or resignation and for the district to be transparent. One remote commenter requested continued, detailed updates and noted a Department of Education inquiry into the district’s handling of sexual-misconduct complaints.
Status and district response: the claims made in public comment are allegations raised by members of the public during the meeting. Committee staff acknowledged receipt of the comments; the transcript records speakers asking for prompt action and transparency. Committee members did not take personnel actions at the meeting; the Department of Education inquiry was referenced by public commenters as in progress.
What happens next: the public comments will be part of the meeting record. Speakers asked the board to use its oversight authority to review personnel handling of historical cases and to report back on any changes to staffing or discipline; the meeting did not record any immediate personnel actions.
