Public commenters urge LAUSD action after historical abuse settlement; callers demand resignations

During the committee’s public‑comment period, several people praised charter programs and student outcomes; others pressed the board for accountability in a historical abuse case they said involved district employees.

Speakers representing Burke Corona and Scholarship Prep described student growth, school culture and services. Joseph Ariola, an administrator at Burke Corona Charter School, noted diagnostic gains and praised his school’s community supports.

Several public speakers also raised an allegation that district administrators previously failed to protect a student who reported sexual abuse, described a subsequent settlement and said two administrators named in the comments were later retained and promoted. Zakhoor Singh (identified during the sign‑in as a public commenter) said he supplied flyers and a QR code linking to a Los Angeles Times article and asked the board to remove or accept resignations from administrators he named. Jamila Fantoli and Diana Hernandez recounted the same concern in separate calls, said a $6.5 million settlement had been paid in a prior case, and called the district’s response inadequate.

These are claims made by public commenters in the meeting; committee staff did not announce an investigative outcome or board action in response during the meeting. The district’s presenters and staff did not provide a public response at the time that would substantiate or refute the specific allegations.

Select public remarks and claims:

- Zakhoor Singh (public commenter) urged the board to "provide justice for the victim" and called for the resignation or termination of named administrators who he said were promoted after the incident. He cited a Los Angeles Times article as background.

- Jamila Fantoli described her concerns about administrators who, she said, confined a ten‑year‑old student after the student reported being abused, and requested rapid action by the board.

- Diana Hernandez, a high‑school student who said she witnessed the events, asked the board to pursue "real punishment" and referenced administrators’ current positions and salaries.

The committee heard both praise for charter school programs and these calls for accountability; no formal board action on the allegations occurred at the meeting. Members thanked all presenters and adjourned the committee.

Next steps: The comments recorded here are public testimony. The board or district may have separate personnel or investigative processes; this meeting did not resolve the allegations and speakers asked for follow‑up.