The Sequoia Union High School District Board of Trustees held their second meeting of the school year on Wednesday, Sept 11.
Here are some key takeaways.
Further Discussion About Coach Mo’s Leave
During public comment, members of the basketball team, staff members, and members of the Molieri family returned to protest basketball coach Mike Molieri’s absence and the District’s lack of explanation for it.
Junior and varsity basketball player Matt Nicholas spoke about Coach Mo’s impact on the community, saying, “ I don’t know what he’s in trouble for, but I do know he cares for every student he comes across, including me. I hope you find it in your heart to bring him back.”
This time around, Superintendent Crystal Leach opted to make a statement. “Unfortunately, given these are personnel issues, we are precluded from responding to or discussing them in public. However, if such an employee wants to waive their confidentiality rights, the district will be more than happy to share information with the public, explaining what happened relative to their employment,” Leach said.
Opening of School Remarks
District principals provided remarks regarding their sites’ status during the first few weeks of school. Woodside High School Principal Karen van Putten kicked things off by reflecting on their Back to School Night and sharing parents’ positive feedback.
M-A Principal Karl Losekoot followed. He shared the immense challenge of supporting students impacted by Dylan Scirpo’s death and expressed his appreciation for the support of district mental health professionals. “In regards to our general school opening, I am proud of our staff, our custodians, technicians, support staff, administrators, and teachers for supporting students, building community, and moving us forward,” Losekoot said.
Trustee Carrie Du Bois concluded their remarks. “I just want to say thank you. I know how hard it is to be a principal after watching you guys for so many years,” she said.
“For a lot of schools, it was a tough way to start the year, and I think the resilience that our principals show is really key for some of our students who might also be going through hard times,” Trustee Sathvik Nori added.
Updated Title IX Guidelines
Elizabeth Chaćon, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, reviewed the many possible Title IX changes occurring. She started with adding abuse prevention topics into classroom programs and the expansion of who is covered under the Non-Discrimination/Harassment policy. Chaćon explained that while gender identity previously did not fall under the Title IX definition, it now does.
Chaćon also noted the new expanded definitions of Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment under Title IX’s new regulations that started August 1, 2024. Finally, she discussed the policy for married, pregnant, or parenting students and the logistics related to students’ parental leaves for eight weeks “that would not count against them,” Chaćon said.
SDTA Endorses Mary Beth Thompson in the Upcoming Board Election
Sequoia District Teachers Association (SDTA) representative Edith Salvatore announced the association is endorsing charter school principal Mary Beth Thompson for the Area B seat and East Palo Alto author Tonga Victoria for the Area E seat in the upcoming board election.
The Area B seat represents parts of Belmont, Redwood City, and San Carlos and is currently held by Du Bois, who has served on the SUHSD school board for 13 years. Thompson’s opponents include Jacob Yuryev, one of last year’s student trustees, and former PayPal executive Daniel Torunian. Area E consists of all of East Palo Alto and parts of North Fair Oaks and is currently held by board President Shawneece Stevenson.
The next board meeting will be on October 9th.
