SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- Santa Maria High School parents are angry!
Parents, teachers and staff from all over the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District attended a rally scheduled this afternoon...only problem?
They say the organizer didn't even bother to show up.
Arnulfo Romero, the man they say is petitioning for Santa Maria High School to turn into a charter school organized a rally but never showed.
When staff called Romero, they put him on speaker and say he ended the call.
It's part of an ongoing battle between the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District and parent Arnulfo Romero and his team.
"They're concerned about school site council," says classified employee Stacy Newbie. "(but) SDMC makes no decisions on personnel issues, financial issues, money, curriculum...is not in all that, so by these parents wanting to change curriculum, I don't know where that's coming from."
Parents were very upset and confused at the canceled rally. In response to the charter petition going around, the district is sending out 2,300 letters to all Santa Maria High School parents.
"It's very scary," says district employee Christine Hill. Hill says if Santa Maria High School becomes a charter school, her job would be the first on the chopping block.
"January 8, I became a permanent employee so, I'm lowest on the totem pole," says Hill. "The rule of thumb is the newest to come is probably the first to go."
Now, all parents and staff want is answers.
"It's out of control," says Newbie.
Calls to Mr. Romero were not immediately returned.
