The Turlock Unified School District Board of Trustees will hold a special, closed-session meeting at 7 a.m. Tuesday in Room 210 of the District Office, 1574 E. Canal Dr.
The board typically meets at 6:30 p.m. in the Professional Development Center on Crane Ave.
Just one item is listed on the meeting agenda: “potential litigation (one case).” TUSD officials said they would not be able to comment on item, as it is a closed-session discussion.
While unconfirmed by TUSD, it is likely the board meeting is in regards to the stabbing incident that occurred Feb. 27 at Corwell Elementary School, when a 6-year-old boy allegedly stabbed a classmate in the neck with a pencil. The victim’s father, Ruben Aguilar, confirmed to TurlockCityNews.com on Saturday that he will pursue legal action against the district.
Aguilar says he made numerous complaints about his son being bullied by the boy who allegedly stabbed him. The father also says the school failed to call an ambulance.
The meeting is listed as “closed session,” meaning the public may not participate in any form. The board is not required to report what items are discussed in closed session, unless some action is taken.
However, there is an opportunity for public comment prior to board members entering closed session.
TUSD Superintendent Sonny Da Marto continues to refuse comment to TurlockCityNews.com. He has yet to return a single phone call or message.
TUSD Trustee Jennifer Leber Carter says she is unaware of the purpose of the board meeting. A call to fellow board member Frank Lima went unreturned.
Since TurlockCityNews.com broke the story of the stabbing on Thursday there has been a firestorm of continued, unanswered questions.
“Trust me…I want answers as much as anyone!” said Carter, “We will get to the bottom of it.”
Meanwhile, parents have grown frustrated with the lack of response by Crowell Elementary School administration.
One parent, Esther Tobar, is taking a stand.
“I'm not sending my daughter to school tomorrow since she's in the same class that (the alleged bully) still remains in,” Tobar wrote on Facebook. “I'm not going to chance it. I'm very irritated with school. He's bullied and hit my daughter before. He needs help and Crowell school is not the place for him to get it, and that's all I can say.
“They can't insure or guarantee my daughters safety, so then I proceeded to ask to switch my child out of the classroom and was denied that since the classrooms are all full,” she continued. “They are failing yet again to keep our children safe. I'm so mad! Why should I have to switch my daughter to a different school?”
At least one other Crowell Elementary School parent, Jordan Amarant, has already submitted a transfer request for next school year. Amarant said he hopes to move his second-grader from the school due to his lack of faith in administrators.
“I spoke with the vice principal last week immediately after reading your first article and they had already prepared their cookie cutter rehearsed answers,” Amarant said in an e-mail. “Stating that she can assure me my child is safe while at school, to that I said (expletive). Something needs to be done and these administrators need to be held accountable.”
Nice to see Mr. Amarant is so passionate about his daughter being safe. Wish he would choose to not rent to drug dealers so my kids would feel safe.
Before throwing mud my way you should have your facts straight. I do own rental property in Turlock but under no circumstances am I ok with someone dealing drugs. I have contacted the police several times regarding the issues I have heard about there. I am fair and honest, some problems are inherited and take time to resolve when you follow the proper course of action. Obviously you know me, so I encourage you to contact me directly if you have any further concerns
How do you know I deal in drugs? Did you buy from me? Don’t label me until you know the truth…(*edited by tcn)!
Not sure about the other comments but this is not the place. Call your landlord if you have concerns.
This is an opportunity for the school board to take corrective action and help TUSD rebuild there reputation. Let’s pray that this get this right and hold all involved accountable, from the school staff to the child that caused the injury. Turlock is a great town and I hate to see it get a bad reputation due to the decisions of our elected officials.
THis closed door meeting is about CYA cover your (*edited by tcn). You can pray all you want and I will with you, But these people in that meeting are trying to figure out How much this will cost them and who is going to be the Patsy and take the fall. They are not thinking about God right now. Start from the top because the people below have there hands tieed by sunny, the teacher probably would have liked to have goten rid of both the kids in this situation and a few more but cant due to sunnys rules…… Get rid of the top brass, Its no one elses fault. Just the brass. the rule makers.
All I have to say is I feel bad for that kid and it’s (*edited by tcn) up how they dudnt do anything about it. I was in 4th grade and took a knife to school they found it called the cops and kicked me out of school I have to go to J.B Allard school. What I’m trying to say is they should have done something about it I didn’t Threaten anybody with the knife and they kick me out and called the police
Everyone is like a moon, and has a Dark Side to which he NEVER shows to anybody……
Mark Twain
” Imagine If You Will “
A standing President ORDERS the collection of virtually every factoid about his American citizen’s, Yet demands all his personal records SEALED! Prior to running for President………….
It fustrates me how these people are treating this. The parents of the boy who stabbed the other one, the school board and principle should be held responsible. It makes me so mad to see kids like that act up and not get the right punishment. My daughters go there and i have seen a bad kid and the sad thing is the teachers are not allowed to do much with the child that is acting up. It’s not fair for the good kids and good teachers.