Parents urge action after repeated safety incidents at Willow Elementary as board approves layoff-mitigation plan

Parents and community members told the San Ysidro School District governing board on May 14 that conditions at Willow Elementary have deteriorated and require urgent intervention, detailing repeated bullying incidents, alleged threats, weapons on campus and unsanitary restrooms.

"Nearly every day, students experience serious safety crises that can no longer be ignored," parent Allison Murio told the board, citing second-grade death threats, student-on-student sexual harassment and a lack of supervision. Several speakers said families are withdrawing children or avoiding school activities because they feel unsafe and unheard.

The board considered an "impacts and effects" agreement intended to mitigate prior classified layoff notices and to collaborate with CSEA on alternate placements and revised job descriptions. District staff said the agreement is meant to preserve jobs where possible by offering alternate positions and leveraging different funding sources; the agenda included revised job descriptions for "Special Program Campus Aid" and "Special Program Instructional Aid" to create potential reassignments.

Public commenters urged a different approach: increase supervision, prioritize instructional aides and redirect contracting budgets rather than cutting frontline staff. One parent said the district spent $54,000 on contracted SBCS services in April, while aides were being laid off.

The board approved the mitigation agreement. Members asked staff to continue negotiating with the union, to provide clearer staffing and safety plans at Willow, and to post requested expenditure details for public review.

Next steps: staff said they will continue collaborative mitigation with CSEA and will report back on placement opportunities and the implementation of two new job descriptions; parents pressed for immediate measures and clearer reporting on safety incidents and staffing levels.