Bryn Mawr Elementary School should be a place where every child feels safe, supported, and excited to learn. Under the leadership of Principal Dr. Esther Tamanaha, it is not.

Over almost two years now, our community has witnessed a deeply troubling pattern of failed leadership. One marked by repeated student safety failures, chronic lack of supervision, deteriorating campus culture, financial opacity, and a systematic effort to shut parents and staff out of decisions that directly affect their children. These are not vague concerns or matters of opinion. They are documented incidents, firsthand accounts, and lived experiences shared by families, teachers, and community members who have watched this school decline in real time.

Our community holds firm to the values of accountability, transparency, and collaborative leadership. When a school leader consistently fails to uphold those values, and when children are placed at risk as a result,  it is not just our right to speak up. It is our responsibility.

We are calling on the Redlands Unified School District to take immediate action and remove Dr. Esther Tamanaha as principal of Bryn Mawr Elementary School. Our students deserve better. Our staff deserves better. Our community deserves better.

Our Concerns:

Lack of Financial Transparency

• There is growing concern over how the school budget is being managed. Staff and parents are routinely left in the dark about how resources are allocated, with no clear communication or community involvement in financial decisions.

Declining Campus Life and Culture

• The elimination of morning recess and increasing restrictions on playground use have negatively impacted student wellness and morale.
• Student field trips have been significantly reduced or canceled altogether, limiting students' real-world learning experiences and enjoyment of school. This includes cancellation of the 5th grade Civil War reenactment field trip and possible cancellation of the 5th grade end of the year celebration trip.
• Families have noted a visible lack of concern during student drop-off, particularly at the kindergarten gate, where the absence of supervision and warm daily greetings stands in stark contrast to the welcoming presence provided by the previous principal.
• Staff attrition and poor staff morale are contributing to a learning environment where students no longer feel excited to attend school.
• The library and STEAM lab have been closed, and academic enrichment programs like Accelerated Reader, Freckle, GATE, Student Broadcast Club have been discontinued, cutting off vital learning opportunities for students.

Failure to Ensure Student Safety

There have been MULTIPLE REPORTS OF PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ASSAULT that were not addressed with the seriousness they demand. The inaction in these cases has put students at unacceptable risk.

In addition:

• On August 19th, the school went into lockdown due to an aggressive student swinging a large chain and padlock as a weapon, with law enforcement and district police called. Parents were NEVER NOTIFIED.
• On February 5th, a FIRE broke out in the student restrooms, but no official communication was issued until families began raising questions after hearing about it from their children. The Assistant Principal, Nicole Howes, reportedly instructed students to not tell anyone about the fire.

Intentional Lack of Transparency and Isolation from the Community

• Dr. Tamanaha has reportedly instructed staff to tell parents she is not available for meetings or discussions, cutting off communication even when urgent issues arise.
• She has been quoted saying that she "DOESN'T HAVE TO NOTIFY PARENTS", which has deeply eroded the relationship between the school and families.
• Student recognition events like Synergy Rallies and Award Assemblies are by invitation only, discouraging parent involvement and limiting celebration of student success.
• There is a clear and continued effort to isolate the campus from outside scrutiny.

Concerning Leadership History

We have also learned that Dr. Tamanaha was previously at Royal Oaks STEAM Academy and FORCED TO LEAVE DUARTE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT under troubling circumstances. While we believe in professional growth and redemption, our school should not be a place where unresolved issues are allowed to continue unchecked.

Our Students Deserve Better!

Our students deserve a safe, nurturing, and academically rich learning environment. They deserve leadership that values transparency, community partnership, and the success and safety of every student. Unfortunately, under Dr. Tamanaha’s leadership, these core values have been disregarded.

We Urgently Request the Following:

1. A full and impartial investigation into Dr. Tamanaha’s conduct, leadership practices, and decision-making history.

2. The appointment of interim leadership to immediately address parent concerns and protect the learning environment while the investigation is ongoing.

3. A transparent and inclusive process that brings in parents, teachers, and community members in any future decisions about permanent school leadership.

We believe in our students. 

We believe in our staff. 

We believe in the power of our community when our voices are heard.

But we cannot allow this situation to go unaddressed any longer.