Community pushes back on DAC and possible closures; demands immediate fixes for pay, staffing and facilities

A central theme of the board workshop was the intensity of public opposition to changes that could lead to school closures or property dispositions. During an extended public-comment period, parents, teachers, union leaders and community activists called for immediate operational fixes and demanded stronger safeguards before any portfolio or property decisions proceed.

What the public said: Speakers repeatedly urged the board to pledge no closures, pointed to persistent payroll problems (late and incorrect pay for some staff) and described acute staffing shortages that leave special-education minutes unserved and classrooms without credentialed teachers. Several parents reported unsafe or unacceptable facility conditions — including allegations of lead in drinking water at Buena Vista Horace Mann and extreme heat at other sites — and said those issues erode trust in district leadership.

Board and staff responses: Board members and staff acknowledged the public’s mistrust and said proposals would be developed with multiple public touchpoints. Staff and legal counsel emphasized the DAC’s advisory role and that state law requires an advisory process for long-term property disposition; they also reiterated that final decisions rest with the board. Several commissioners insisted that the district adopt clearer, enforceable progress monitoring and guardrails to ensure community feedback shapes outcomes.

Why it matters: Community skepticism is high because stakeholders say past advisory groups have not produced durable change. Many speakers framed the workshop as a potential prelude to closures concentrated in southeast neighborhoods with large Black and brown populations; they argued the district must first fix immediate operational failures — pay, staffing and basic facility safety — before pursuing structural portfolio changes.

Next steps: Staff proposed bringing a DAC-formation resolution back to the board next month and pledged monthly, Brown Act–compliant DAC meetings as a baseline for stakeholder engagement. Commissioners asked staff to include measurable milestones and a transparent process for how DAC input will be captured and reflected in proposals. Public speakers insisted on stronger commitments, including a clear statement that proposals with disproportionate negative equity impacts will be rejected.

Ending: The meeting closed with staff promising further proposals and engagement; the board adjourned without taking votes on portfolio or closure decisions.