Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Leadership topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Staff, students and parents urge review and leadership change at PBLO High School
Summary
Multiple PBLO High School students, parents and staff used the board’s public‑comment period to allege repeated leadership failures, inappropriate conduct and inconsistent responses to reports of sexual misconduct; speakers asked the board to investigate and protect students.
Dozens of students, teachers, parents and alumni told the Tucson Unified School District governing board on June 9 they have lost faith in leadership at PBLO High School and urged an investigation or leadership change.
Speakers at the public comment session described a pattern of complaints they said went unaddressed and cited examples they characterized as retaliation, favoritism and mishandled reports of predatory behavior. Several said they feared retaliation for speaking and asked the board to ensure confidentiality and timely investigation. One parent read an account alleging a student used a phone to record a female student’s body; that parent said earlier complaints had not stopped the behavior.
Student speakers described tense interactions with the site principal and said the principal publicly framed critics as bullies while declining to meet, or by meeting only under conditions that students found intimidating. “We are asking for a change of leadership. We want a leader who will be reflective, who has a plan, a vision, and integrity,” a PBLO staff member said during public comment. Another student recounted never feeling safe at the school after seeing what they described as a pattern of inappropriate conduct.
Teachers, alumni and parents requested that the board investigate whether policies were followed in response to prior reports and whether the school handled sexual‑harassment and safety complaints appropriately. Several speakers asked that district staff review specific incidents and provide the board with a status update.
Board members agreed to ask staff to review particular concerns raised in the public comments; one board member asked staff to prepare a translation of Spanish‑language comments and to ensure translation services are available at future meetings.
The board did not take an immediate personnel action during the meeting; multiple board members publicly thanked witnesses and asked staff to follow up. The comments will be considered as staff investigates and reports back to the board, according to the board’s statements at the meeting.
