Community member urges independent investigation into Arroyo High administrators' conduct

Irma Zamorano, a community member who addressed the El Monte Union High School District Board of Trustees during public comment, alleged repeated unprofessional behavior by Arroyo High School Principal Flores and Assistant Principal Witt and asked the board to open an external investigation.

"I respectfully request that an immediate independent investigation be initiated by an external agency since the district was reportedly made aware of the possible relationship between Mr. Flores and Ms. Witt several years ago," Zamorano said during her three-minute public comment. She described repeated observations—staff and maintenance reportedly seeing the two administrators enter a room and linger for 20 to 40 minutes—and said those patterns have continued for years.

Zamorano also raised safety concerns, saying administrators sometimes failed to respond to calls for support during student emergencies and cited a homecoming dance incident she said may reflect inconsistent judgment. She requested administrative leave for both administrators pending the investigation and suggested district surveillance (CCTV) footage could contain supporting evidence.

The board did not take action on the public comment during the meeting. Under the Brown Act, the board may direct staff to investigate or place an item on a future agenda; the public comment statement read at the meeting reminded speakers that the board generally cannot act on matters raised during public comment without placing them on a subsequent agenda.

The comment was delivered during the public-comment portion of the agenda; legal and personnel follow-up would be handled under board policy and applicable personnel and privacy rules.