TL;DR: An alleged violent, uncleared individual led student activities at Redwood Middle School. Calling this a “gap” downplays the risk to our children. Families deserve full transparency on what failed, who was responsible, and what safeguards will prevent this from ever happening again. Trustees must ensure accountability—how would they feel if it were their own kids?

Dear Saratoga Community,

This letter is a response to recent reporting by the Los Gatan and hoodline, as well as discussions during the March 12, 2026, SUSD Board Meeting. We appreciate that the district has acknowledged the safety breach and that a third-party investigation is underway. That acknowledgment is an important step.

We also thank these local outlets for their reporting and encourage the community to support local journalism, which plays a critical role in informing the public and fostering accountability.

According to Trustee Cynthia Miller, speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees, the district has identified a “gap in the process.” Describing this incident simply as a “gap” completely minimizes the serious breach where a violent individual may have been around our children. Required clearance procedures exist specifically to protect students. When an individual, especially one in a position of authority and trust such as a coach, participates in student activities without completing those procedures, it represents more than a minor procedural issue. It indicates that the safeguards families rely on to ensure their child’s safety at all times did not function as intended.

Trustee Cynthia Miller noted that district leadership cannot speak freely about certain details while the investigation is ongoing, which is understandable. At the same time, the district has publicly stated that it has already identified a “gap in the process.” If they already know what failed, the natural question from families is: why can the district not fully disclose the issue and be transparent with the community at this time? Families deserve to understand which safeguards failed and what corrective steps will be taken. Providing this clarity does not require revealing private student information but is essential to restoring confidence that similar breaches will not occur in the future.

The central purpose of this petition has always been straightforward: ensuring that the facts surrounding the breach are fully disclosed, that accountability measures are clearly communicated, and that concrete safeguards are implemented so this cannot happen ever again. Parents care deeply about the schools and educators who serve our children every day. Advocacy for stronger safeguards should not be interpreted as an attack on the district or its staff. Rather, it reflects a shared interest in ensuring that student safety systems are as strong and reliable as possible.

The March 12 board meeting (at about 1hr 8 minutes) provides a clear example of why rules and boundaries matter. Trustees discussed attending school-connected organization meetings, like SEF/PTA, as observers—valuing firsthand knowledge while respecting limits. Trustees emphasized that even well-meaning engagement must not override protocols. If the board shows so much care about how their actions may be perceived, why did the district fail to show the same care for the children entrusted to its supervision—children who are legally and ethically required to be protected under the school’s watch? This is exactly why clearance procedures exist: to ensure only vetted, trustworthy individuals have access to students. Calling a serious error a mere “gap” completely ignores the real risk and fails to meet the level of diligence required to keep children safe.

We demand that trustees exercise the same care and diligence when determining accountability and any disciplinary actions resulting from the investigation, because proper oversight, consequences, and follow-through matter as much as prevention. This should be a clear and unequivocal matter of accountability. There is no place for politics, relationships, or institutional considerations when student safety is at stake. Decisions must be based solely on the facts and the findings of the investigation.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that the individual who served as sports director at the time of the breach—who held responsibility for oversight of athletic programs—remains employed within the school and also serves in a leadership role within the teachers’ union. This raises important questions about independence and accountability during and after the investigation. The district should clearly explain how any potential conflicts of interest are being managed and how impartiality in both the investigation and any resulting disciplinary decisions will be ensured. Families need confidence that accountability will be determined objectively, without influence from existing roles or relationships within the district.

We also ask the trustees to consider this personally: how would they feel if their own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or even young neighbors had been left in the care of an individual with a violent criminal history? What measures would they expect to be taken to ensure that such a lapse never happens again? Where is the line that cannot be crossed? This perspective underscores why accountability cannot be symbolic—it must reflect the severity of the breach.

When the findings of the investigation are reached, the district must clearly communicate the results, the corrective measures to be implemented, and the type of individual who was allowed access to students. Families cannot meaningfully evaluate the risk if the nature of the lapse remains vague. Knowing the facts about who was around their children is essential to rebuilding trust and ensuring parents can make informed decisions about their child’s safety.

We welcome the district’s commitment to fully share the findings of the investigation once it concludes. Clear communication about what occurred, the nature of the uncleared individual, and how this will never repeat is essential to restoring trust within the community.

Sincerely,
 Concerned Parents and Community Members

For Further Reading

Petition Update #3: Press Helps Shed Light on Student Safety and Transparency at SUSD

Petition Update #2: Student Safety First: Transparency Is Needed After a Confirmed Breach

Petition Update #1: Beyond the Smoke and Mirrors: Facts, Accountability, and Student Safety

The Issue is Presented: Petition to SUSD Trustees: Enforce Student Safety, Oversight & Accountability