We are parents, community members and teachers who have experienced firsthand the damaging effects of our Superintendent's actions on our students' lives and learning, our teachers and our community. We have countless examples that highlight our escalating concerns, including consistent mismanagement, lack of effective communication, and disregard for our voices in decision-making processes.

We believe that a critical element of any successful education system is the willingness of its leader to listen and respond to the concerns of its educators and parents. Yet, our superintendent has not shown us this courtesy. Instead, we constantly face disregard for our perspectives and expertise. Hence, it is becoming abundantly clear that there is a need for change in leadership.

Thus, we ask our parents, fellow teachers, and community members to conduct a Vote of No Confidence against our present superintendent. We encourage all members of our school community who believe in the potential of our children, and the critical role of education, to join us. Our collective action can initiate the change we desperately need. Sign this petition to signal your support for a vote of no confidence against our superintendent.

Whereas Dr. Beth Polito is employed as the current Superintendent of the Las Lomitas Elementary School District (LLESD) and is tasked by the LLESD Board of Trustees with the oversight and management of all aspects and functions of the school district, including direct authority over internal and external district communications and bargaining with employee associations; and

Whereas Dr. Beth Polito is additionally responsible for the oversight and management of the policies related to hiring, retention, and morale of the employees directly and indirectly under her charge; and

Whereas Over the last four years, Dr. Beth Polito has engaged in a series of behaviors and actions which has left her employees unempowered and unsupported, and in fear of retaliation; and

Whereas the behaviors and actions leading to the current state of relations between community, employees and district management have included:

Creating and deciding on district goals in closed sessions without including educators or community members in the process;

Excluding meaningful teacher representation and collaboration in curricular decisions and purchases;

Abetting the insulation of the Board of Trustees, the members of the Las Lomitas Education Association and the community members from sources of financial information other than what she chooses to provide;

Mismanaging the district budget by purchasing unneeded materials, using excessive funds for additional administrative positions and salaries, and spending large sums on unnecessary and extravagant professional development, consultants, coaches and retreat; 

Not maintaining a pay structure that retains and/or attracts qualified and experienced professionals;

Promoting a situation where the union has been working without a contract since July 2023 and has not started a school year with a contract in place since the 2018/19 school year;

Writing disparaging and untrue comments about the teacher’s union in the press;

Taking deliberate actions that reduce the community spirit within the district. Examples include removal of Apple for the Teacher, eliminating Field Trip funding and removal of specific LLEF funding. Under Superintendent Dr. Polito’s leadership, the budgeting practices implemented have significantly altered the culture and sense of connection with the LLESD community; 

Mishandling the rental agreement with Woodland School, which is currently rented at a rate grossly below the property’s rental market rate effectively reducing district revenues; 

Mishandling student issues including death threats coming from a student, obscene material shared to minors by a student, turning against the victim(s), and minimizing communication with parents;

We, the undersigned, support this Vote of No Confidence in Dr. Beth Polito, the first Vote of No Confidence in LLESD’s history, because we deeply care about our students, our teachers, our community and the long-standing reputation of academic excellence for more than 100 years.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the parents, the members of the Las Lomitas Education Association, the undersigned employees and the community members have NO confidence, and NO trust in the Superintendent to effectively lead the Las Lomitas Elementary School District, and call for her immediate removal without her contractual retirement package. 

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the parents, the members of the Las Lomitas Education Association, the undersigned employees and the community members respectfully and willingly submit this Vote of No Confidence to the Board of Trustees of the Las Lomitas Elementary School District, and

THEREFORE, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the parents, the members of the Las Lomitas Education Association, the undersigned employees and the community members urge the Board of Trustees of the Las Lomitas Elementary School District to reconsider the terms of the contract of the Superintendent because the students and staff of the Las Lomitas Elementary School District deserve better.