Stockton Unified employees allege workplace bullying, sexual harassment

Stockton Unified School District's transportation director has been replaced amid allegations of a "toxic" work environment that include bullying and sexual harassment.

Melinda Meza, Stockton Unified's director of communications, marketing and media relations, said that while transportation director Benard Veasley's employment was discussed in closed session at the July 26 board meeting, the board did not make an announcement on a change in employment status.

Veasley's name and contact information have been removed from SUSD's website and the district appointed Karl Knodt as the director of transportation at an Aug. 16 special board meeting.

Several SUSD staff members spoke out against Veasley at the July 12 board meeting. Rosie Robles, a bus driver for Stockton Unified, alleged that Veasley sprayed cologne on her and in her mouth in front of her colleagues in May.

“I kind of blacked out,” Robles told The Record. “I was in shock and he just stood there and laughed at me. He said he did it because I had bad breath."

Robles said the "toxic" work environment has caused some bus drivers in the district to quit their jobs. Stockton Unified is one of many districts nationwide experiencing a shortage of bus drivers and school support staff.

Maria Delores-Aguilar, a Stockton Unified bus driver, said in an interview that she, too, experienced harassment by Veasley. Delores-Aguilar said she felt uncomfortable after Veasley allegedly grabbed her by her shoulders in front of other supervisors.

"I said, 'What's going on?'" Delores-Aguilar said. "Then he turned me around and he pushed me out the door, and he said, 'We're taking out the trash.'"

Robles and Delores-Aguilar both said they filed complaints with Stockton Unified's human resources department, but the department was unresponsive.

Nancy Lane, Stockton Unified assistant superintendent of Human Resources, said that Veasley was still an employee of the district as of Aug. 5, but did not respond to several requests for comment on the allegations.

In contrast, about 20 employees of the district's transportation department attended the July 26 board meeting in support of Veasley. Some employees spoke in front of the board.

Tanya Copeland, a transportation operations supervisor, presented a petition to not accept Veasley's resignation to the board. Copeland stated the petition received 20 signatures from transportation department employees.

"We are in support of Benard Veasley. This department was made to look like the entire department has an issue with Benard Veasley. That is not true," the petition statement read. "He is essential to the department. He has fought for this department. He has been a major support for the drivers, bus attendants and office staff."

Copeland added that she "trusts Benard."

Veasley did not respond to a request for comment.

Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at recordnet.com/subscribenow.

Record reporter Ben Irwin covers Stockton and San Joaquin County government. He can be reached at birwin@recordnet.com or on Twitter @B1rwin. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton Unified employees allege workplace bullying, sexual harassment