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Teachers and parents raise retaliation and program concerns during public comment
Summary
Public commenters at the June 23 board meeting raised concerns about alleged retaliation toward staff at Cathedral City High School and clarified Desert Learning Academy operations and enrollment numbers; district representatives said they will review concerns and include DLA staff in planning.
Several public commenters used the district's public-comment period on June 23 to raise personnel and program concerns and to correct public misconceptions.
Dr. Ray France addressed the board about alleged acts of retaliation at Cathedral City High School. He asked how the district defines retaliation, how many investigatory meetings a teacher can be called into over prescribed timeframes, where teachers should report retaliation, and what supports are available. He said colleagues fear reprisals after raising campus-climate concerns and recounted community pressure on staff, including threats by a parent to attempt to get a teacher fired. The board took the comments under consideration; no immediate administrative response was made during public comment.
Michael Joseph Pitkin read a written statement requesting budget and grant accounting from SunLine Transit Agency, Palm Springs Unified and other named entities and alleging misappropriation and "double-dipping" of transportation funds; he requested an expedited ADA/mobility accommodation exception and audit of grants. The statement was entered into the record as a public comment.
Teresa Colby, a high-school English teacher at Desert Learning Academy (DLA), described DLA as the district's alternative high school offering A-G and AP courses, weekly required learning-coach meetings, and use of Edgenuity for pacing. She disputed claims that DLA is a pandemic-era program or being downsized, cited enrollment and sign-in figures ("about 150" currently; she said there were 290 enrolled this year; recorded campus sign-ins tallying approximately 28 students per school day), and asked whether the district will assign a principal to DLA going forward. Colby thanked the superintendent after he said there were no plans to close DLA and asked to be included in planning for any staffing changes.
District leaders said public comments are taken seriously and that administration will follow up through appropriate channels. Board members urged staff to look into workplace-climate inquiries and to ensure staff have clear reporting channels for retaliation claims.
