Public commenter urges board to address PTSA removal, Spanish translation and bond outreach

Denise El Amin, a frequent public commenter, used her allotted time at the June 9 meeting to press the board on multiple community issues: her removal from the PTSA presidency, alleged retention of PTSA merchandise and funds by others, the lack of Spanish translation and interpretation at board meetings, and concern about insufficient public notice if the district pursues a bond this fall.

At the start of public comment, El Amin said she ‘‘made history’’ as what she described as the first African American PTSA president at the high school but said she was removed after refusing to sign a form. She claimed the PTSA and its assets were later removed from the school while $19,200 remained in the organization’s bank account and said she has not seen an accounting of where funds and materials went. "They removed me as the first African American PTSA president, and they removed the PTSA from this school also... they kept all of our merchandise... we have 19,200 in the bank," she told trustees.

Later during the bond discussion and budget hearing, El Amin questioned why meetings and informational outreach occur during summer months when the public is less likely to attend, and she urged the district to provide Spanish‑language materials and consistent interpreter presence: "We have more English as a second language and Spanish‑speaking people that attend the school, and I was wondering why YouTube doesn't go out in Spanish." Staff acknowledged that interpretation options exist and that the interpreter was not present at this meeting. El Amin said she would increase outreach to encourage more public participation before any board action on a bond.