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Parents urge board for stronger oversight after Ruskin consolidation, report safety and discrimination concerns
Summary
Three Ruskin parents raised concerns during public comment about consolidation impacts, alleged discriminatory comments in a PTA group, and a student leaving campus through an unlocked gate; they asked the board for clearer communication, safety protocols and formal action.
Three parents used the meeting's public comment period to press the Berryessa Union School District Board for clearer oversight and safety rules as the district completes a recent consolidation.
Kim Ngo said the Ruskin community is still feeling the effects of last year’s consolidation and urged the board to provide “additional oversight, clear guidance, and specific actionable next steps to help stabilize the school.” She cited continuing traffic and safety concerns, shifting enrichment materials, and what she described as persistent leadership communication gaps that have lowered staff and family morale.
Theresa Creo told trustees she had reported discriminatory comments posted in a PTA Mandarin immersion booster chat and had received no district response, only an apology from a PTA leader. She said the language in the post — including a claim that bringing in large numbers of Mandarin-speaking students “will boost your test scores” — had prompted parents to call for a stronger, district-level response and a clear zero-tolerance policy for harassment and discrimination.
Maya De Vassilano described a separate safety incident at Ruskin, saying her son left campus through Gate 8 while at school and arrived home in distress. “He walked straight out of Gate 8 at Ruskin. The gate was unlocked and open during school hours,” she said, and asked how the district plans to improve emergency communication and parent notification. The board president said staff would follow up after the meeting.
The comments came during the public comment section; trustees did not take immediate action but asked staff to follow up with the speakers and to report back on safety protocols and communications timelines.
