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Community speakers urge board to drop proposed censure of Trustee Padilla
Summary
Dozens of residents, alumni and community leaders urged the El Monte Union board not to censure Trustee Ricardo Padilla, calling the action divisive and noting Padilla's decades of service and community programs.
A lengthy public-comment period on Sept. 3 was dominated by speakers urging the board to abandon consideration of a censure against Trustee Ricardo Padilla.
Several speakers called the proposed censure politically motivated and lacking evidence. "Censuring an elected trustee for exercising their First Amendment right to speak as a private citizen sets a dangerous precedent," said Jessica Ancona, who described Padilla's 34 years in education and 13 years on the board and urged the board to "put politics aside." Irma Zamirano called the censure attempt "baseless" and asked the board directly, "Where is the proof? Where is the documentation?"
Other commenters — alumni, parents and colleagues — described Padilla's community programs, attendance advocacy and longstanding mentorship. Board members did not take final action on a censure at this meeting; the public-comment record will be part of the board's ongoing consideration of the matter.
