The Abridged version:
- Parents from Phoebe Hearst Elementary School served Sacramento City Unified School District Board President Jasjit Singh with notice to recall him from the board.
- The Phoebe Hearst community has protested for weeks the removal of two sixth grade teachers.
Parents, teachers and students at Phoebe Hearst Elementary School escalated weeks-long protests Thursday, moving to oust the Sacramento City Unified School District board president.
Sixth-grade teacher Jeanine Rupert was reassigned from the school over a decision to have students help her pull up carpet from her classroom. District officials said the action could have endangered students.
Rupert’s allies, including parents of current and former students, say she had requested multiple times to have the carpet removed, including during a flea infestation last year.
Members of the elementary school community have rallied to bring the educator back.
After Rupert’s teaching partner and longtime friend Mark Henrikson was put on administrative leave last week, the group appeared at Thursday’s school board meeting.
A series of students and parents offered public comments, lamenting Rupert and Henrikson’s absence.
A parent, Caitlin Beckett, addressed Singh while another served him with a recall notice.
Under California election law, serving an elected official with a recall notice begins a process that involves petition signature gathering and possibly, an election of district voters to determine if the recall is successful. Singh was elected in 2022.
Savannah Kuchar is a reporter covering education. She came to Sacramento to be a part of the Abridged team and contribute to a crucial local news source.