Stockton Unified trustees silent at town hall on grand jury report

Ben Irwin and Hannah Workman, The Record
·5 min read
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The Arthur Coleman Jr. Administrative Complex was filled with concerned community members for a town hall meeting held by the Stockton Unified School District Board of Trustees Aug. 4 to discuss the June San Joaquin County grand jury report that found financial mismanagement, poor business practices and a lack of transparency within the school district.

Stockton Unified School District interim superintendent Dr. Traci E Miller, left, board president Cecilia Mendez, board members Ray Zulueta and Scot McBrian attend a town hall meeting about the critical grand jury report at the SUSD headquarters in downtown Stockton.
Stockton Unified School District interim superintendent Dr. Traci E Miller, left, board president Cecilia Mendez, board members Ray Zulueta and Scot McBrian attend a town hall meeting about the critical grand jury report at the SUSD headquarters in downtown Stockton.

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To the disappointment of many who showed up hoping for a two-way conversation, Interim Superintendent Dr. Traci Miller — who was just four days in on the job — told the crowd that the goal of the meeting was to “actively listen” to the concerns of community members and responses would be given at future town halls. Miller did not specify when those meetings would be held.

Harpreet Chima, former 9th Congressional District candidate and current Fix SUSD organizer — a group of students, parents, SUSD staff and community members formed in response to the second scathing grand jury report on the school district in a year — said this is the first town hall he’s seen where the politicians have decided to remain silent. Trustees Cecilia Mendez, Ray Zulueta and Scot McBrian were the only board members present out of seven.

People attend a town hall meeting about the critical grand jury report at the SUSD headquarters in downtown Stockton.
People attend a town hall meeting about the critical grand jury report at the SUSD headquarters in downtown Stockton.

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“I hope people in November are paying attention to the elections,” Chima said, “and I hope after November people keep paying attention because two of you are not up for election. While you think you may be safe in those seats for another two years, we’re going to try and make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Just 15 minutes into the two-hour meeting, Board President Mendez attempted to end the meeting after a brief lull in comment cards. A SUSD employee who spoke during public comment called it “absolutely appalling” that Mendez attempted to end the meeting shortly after it had begun.

“I have a child that I had to find childcare for to be here so I can come and see what’s going on in the district I work for, and I have children in,” the SUSD employee said. “If you show that little consideration for your community who’s come to speak to you, what consideration do you have for my child and my school?”

Rafael Cardoza of Stockton said the town hall was “just another school board meeting.”

Area resident Rafael Cardoza turns and addresses the audience as he makes his remarks during public comment at a town hall meeting about the critical grand jury report at the SUSD headquarters in downtown Stockton.
Area resident Rafael Cardoza turns and addresses the audience as he makes his remarks during public comment at a town hall meeting about the critical grand jury report at the SUSD headquarters in downtown Stockton.

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“11 months ago, these guys received the same type of report,” Cardoza said. “Nobody did anything. Nothing changed.”

Elizabeth Ng Mayberry approached the microphone to address the board, her nerves showing in her shaky hands.

“This is a terrifying time … to express any kind of opinion, to even be in this room,” Ng Mayberry said. “I just don’t understand. If you could help your families and your teachers understand, that would be great.”

Michelle Munoz, an instructional coach at Stockton Unified, said the grand jury reports have validated the climate SUSD teachers endure, attempting to function in a dysfunctional, broken machine. Edison High social studies teacher Gustavo Gonzalez grew up in Stockton, left to get his degree and returned to serve his hometown community. He questions giving the same advice now.

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“As I teach my kids and tell them to go to college and get ahead, sometimes I wonder: should I tell them to come back to Stockton to work in our schools as teachers?” Gonzalez said. “Recent events sometimes make me reconsider.”

Gustavo Gonzalez speaks during public comment at a town hall meeting about the critical grand jury report at the SUSD headquarters in downtown Stockton.
Gustavo Gonzalez speaks during public comment at a town hall meeting about the critical grand jury report at the SUSD headquarters in downtown Stockton.

Lifelong Stocktonian and Stagg High grad Jane Butterfield raised concern over the accountability of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER, funds — the over $241 million in one-time COVID-relief dollars Stockton Unified was allotted from the federal government.

“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire … we all know what’s in those reports,” Butterfield said. “When I heard about the (over $241 million) I thought, ‘God, this will be transformational for Stockton Unified.’ I haven’t heard anything about it. I have no idea how it’s being spent. This community should demand a full account of exactly where those funds have or have not gone.”

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The June grand jury report states that Stockton Unified has no master plan that shows how ESSER funds are or will be spent, and the Business Services Department is unable to provide data and accounting for ESSER expenditures. Based on testimony, the grand jury was unable to determine how spending of ESSER funds or the budgeting process for those funds was conducted.

The Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT), a state agency, has been retained by the San Joaquin County Office of Education to conduct an AB139 Extraordinary Audit — used to determine fraud, misappropriation of funds or other illegal fiscal practices — in response to the school district’s projected at least $30 million deficit by 2024. The Extraordinary Audit is expected to be completed in 12-18 months. The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office did not elaborate any further.

“It is my office’s policy not to comment on ongoing investigations and pending arrests or prosecution of individuals or organizations,” District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar told The Record.

Record reporter Ben Irwin covers Stockton and San Joaquin County government. He can be reached at birwin@recordnet.com or on Twitter @B1rwin.

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 https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow. 

This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton Unified trustees silent at town hall on grand jury report