Dear Community Members,

We want to share an important update about the ongoing situation involving the involuntary transfer of Aimee Penn and Henna Bianchini from Marshall Elementary School, a decision that has deeply impacted students, staff, and families.

After weeks of investigating how this decision was made—and how their appeals were handled—we now have confirmation that Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) leadership and the Board of Education failed to follow proper legal procedures.

🔎 What We’ve Discovered:

The two teachers were officially notified of their transfer on March 28, 2025, for vague reasons such as “not fitting the school culture.”
Both teachers submitted formal appeals on April 23, as allowed by District policy.
Shortly after, each teacher received a denial letter signed by the Board President—but no Board meeting was ever held, and the appeal was never placed on any agenda or voted on publicly or privately.
This is a violation of California’s Brown Act, which requires all decisions by elected boards to be made in properly noticed public meetings.
It also violates CVUSD’s own Board Policy 4114, which states that the Board—not the Superintendent or Board President alone—must make the final decision on any appeal of a teacher transfer.
💥 Why This Matters: These actions were not only unfair—they were unlawful. The Board’s decision appears to have been made behind closed doors or by staff without public review, accountability, or transparency.

📢 What Happens Now:

The teachers will be submitting formal legal demands to the District and the Board to rescind their unlawful decisions and to rehear the appeals properly and publicly, as the law requires.
As a community, we have the right to demand transparency and fairness from our school leadership. This isn't just about two teachers—it's about how our public institutions treat the people who educate our children.
🙏 What You Can Do:

Share this message.
Attend upcoming Board meetings and speak during public comment.
Stay engaged. We will continue to provide updates and opportunities to support.
Thank you for standing up for integrity, equity, and transparency in Castro Valley schools.

In solidarity,