The Sequoia Union High School District Board of Trustees convened for their first meeting of the school year on Wednesday, Aug. 21. Trustees began by sharing details on events they attended over the summer before reviewing changes to Title IX procedures, renewing partnerships with District-wide programs, and listening to a highly emotional public comment period.
Acknowledgment of Dylan Scirpo
Superintendent Crystal Leach and Board President Shawneece Stevenson acknowledged the loss of M-A student Dylan Scirpo.
“I had people calling me as far as Mountain View talking about this young man and asking me how we are doing,” Stevenson said. “It tells me about this larger community that this student had and that our community is deeply connected.”
District Title IX Updates
Todd Beal, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for the District, spoke about new federal guidelines for investigation of Title IX cases related to discrimination or identity.
The law allows increased flexibility around who can conduct investigations, whether an investigator, the school, or the District’s Title IX coordinator.
Beal also walked through language revisions in the District’s Title IX guidelines that change existing gender-specific pronouns to be gender-neutral, such as replacing “he” or “she” pronouns to instead use nouns representing the position, like “superintendent” or “teacher.”
Partnership with The Parent Venture Renewed
In a 4-0 vote, the Board agreed to continue the District’s partnership with The Parent Venture, a nonprofit focused on informing parents about student mental health and safety through panel series, presentations, and films.
The agreement stipulates that at least 25 events surrounding subjects related to student well-being will be provided throughout the school year. Upcoming events include lessons on raising informed citizens, navigating youth sports, and a series on neurodiversity.
Trustee Carrie Du Bois, who is also on the board of the nonprofit, abstained from the vote.
Basketball Coach Absence
During public comment, a parent and two members of the M-A basketball team questioned the circumstances behind head coach and Successful Transition Achieved with Responsive Support (STARS) teacher Mike Molieri’s absence from campus this school year.
“I miss Coach Mo on campus. He always makes me laugh,” senior and basketball player Bobby Redmond said during public comment. “It’s a person of joy missing on our campus and I don’t know why, I’d like to know why, and I think we all deserve the right to know why.”
District Clerk On Leave
After 35 years working at the District as a Pay Clerk, Alma Ontiveros faced job termination in June 2023 following accusations of embezzlement and financial misconduct. Her daughter and fellow employee both spoke on the wrongful nature of her termination and the hardships their family has endured due to it.
Ontiveros’ daughter Amanda explained these struggles. “I’ve had to pick up two jobs just to support my mom, which is very unfair,” she said. “She would never do anything to jeopardize her work ethic, her family, or her kids. I am losing time away from my daughter because of the situation with the District.”
The next board meeting will be on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
