An official recall effort has been launched against TUSD Governing Board Members Adelita Grijalva, Cam Juarez and Kristel Foster.
The organizer of the effort says the trio has failed to provide responsible and accountable fiscal oversight of taxpayers dollars, failed to demand accountability from the superintendent, failed to respect and respond to concerns from TUSD community and staff, and approved unwarranted raises and bonuses, amongst other issues.
Brian Sauber, chairman of a group dubbed Parents for Ethics in TUSD, lodged the campaign Wednesday, and has until Nov. 19 to physically collect 15,067 signatures for each governing board member for the effort to move forward to voters.
Sauber is a parent and former TUSD employee.
In calling for the board members’ removal, Sauber says the action is necessary to ensure that children have access to an excellent education, to eliminate the “culture of fear and intimidation among teachers and classified staff,” to ensure financially sound board decisions, and to effectively represent taxpayers, constituents and families.
Board President Grijalva referred to Sauber as a “disgruntled former employee,” saying he has an ulterior motive and any other claim is disingenuous.
Juarez agreed with Grijalva, saying he feels the effort is more self-serving than Sauber lets on in his petition.
“He’s entitled to do this, it’s democracy in action,” Juarez said of the effort. “The allegations are unfounded and much has been done that counters what is being said.”
Foster added: “It’s a difficult job and I’m honored that people elected me to do it. We have to make difficult decisions but I think we’re doing good work.”
