Soquel school district feels heat from parents, teachers

By Kara Guzman, Santa Cruz Sentinel

POSTED: 01/14/15, 9:49 PM PST |

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CAPITOLA >> An angry family at risk of losing its spot at Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary School is the latest in a series of parents, teachers and community members demanding better communication from Soquel Union Elementary School District.

More than 60 people filled Wednesday’s board meeting, several to support Marilu Radilla, who was notified Monday by voicemail from the Santa Cruz Gardens principal that her son must find a new school in five days.

Radilla, a longtime parent at the school, moved out of district boundaries in December, but failed to notify administration. When the principal, Kerry LeRoux, heard of the new address from Radilla on Monday, she left two messages, first saying that the family must submit transfer paperwork, then saying that the school no longer had room for her son, Radilla said.

Radilla said her son has special needs and would have a difficult time at a new school. Further, according to policy, the district is required to give written notice, 10 days plus a chance at appeal, before a family loses its spot, she said.

“The way that they have been interacting with me, it’s unprofessional,” she said. “It’s unacceptable.”

The family has since submitted paperwork, met with LeRoux, talked with Superintendent Henry Castaniada and scheduled a meeting, but has received mixed messages, Radilla said. She was originally told by district staff via voicemail that her transfer paperwork would be denied, she said.

Castaniada told the Sentinel that the family would be allowed to stay, as long as Radilla submits paperwork and Radilla’s home district, Santa Cruz City Schools, agrees.

“The message has changed every couple of minutes. Every new voicemail, it’s something different. It’s never consistent, never correct policy and procedures, so you really don’t know,” Radilla said.

Others expressed discontent at Wednesday’s meeting.

Supervisor John Leopold, who reported on county plans, said his office tried to collaborate with the district on improving a Main Street Elementary pick-up area, about which neighbors have expressed concerns. The district has been unresponsive, Leopold said.

Several residents have complained to him about the district, he said.

“I’ve encouraged them to reach out to you but they continue to come, which to me is a sign that they’re not being heard in some way,” Leopold said.

Michelle Bell, New Brighton Middle School teacher and co-president of the teacher’s union, said she has asked Castaniada for months to address teacher healthcare, but has not received a satisfactory response.

Poor communication is a common theme, she said.

“I think it’s important that for you, the board, to keep a pulse of the parents, the students, the teachers, your community and not just step out of the way of the person you are employing,” Bell said.

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http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/social-affairs/20150114/soquel-school-district-feels-heat-from-parents-teachers