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Recita/Rita parents, students and teachers urge LA Unified to remove principal after safety, staffing complaints
Summary
Parents, students and union representatives told the LAUSD Committee of the Whole they have lost confidence in the principal at Recita/Rita Charter following alleged illegal personnel actions, declining school climate and a student fatality; they presented petitions and asked the board to act.
Parents, students and teachers from Recita (referred to in testimony as Rita) Charter told the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Committee of the Whole on May 20 that the school’s current principal was placed “unilaterally” in 2024, reversed prior safety practices and has undermined staff morale.
Speakers described a pattern of decisions they say harmed the school’s culture and, they allege, contributed to a recent student death. “She sequestered herself in her office, avoided interacting with faculty and students,” teacher and union representative Stephanie Def France said, adding that more than 700 signatures on a petition show wide community opposition to the principal’s actions. Parent Peg Hegel told the board she and faculty view the principal’s behavior as “want and disregard” for legal and contractual duties and asked the board to remove the principal before more harm occurs.
Students described specific program losses. “French was not only a class; she’s like my best friend,” student Luna Sophia said, asking the board to preserve language and arts offerings and keep their teacher on campus. Parent Daniel Ortiz said the principal assured families the French program would continue and that those assurances were not honored.
Union leaders told the board they support the community’s calls for a more collaborative, phased approach to district policy changes but also want urgent action at the school level. Alex Rosco, UTLA secondary vice president, said the union backs the district’s proposed screen‑time resolution in principle but warned advocates that implementation must be phased and include staff to avoid unintended consequences.
District staff did not take action during the meeting. Board members and staff said they had received documents and petitions from Recita families and that district officials would follow up. In response to public testimony, the board’s chair acknowledged the community’s concerns and said district staff would reach out to those who spoke.
What’s next: speakers asked the board to investigate staffing decisions and alleged legal violations the community says occurred when the current principal was placed. No formal investigation outcome was recorded during the session; district staff said they would follow up with petitioners and staff.
Speakers quoted in this article are included in the meeting transcript and were identified by name or role during public comment.
