Pajaro Valley Unified School District Student Trustee Daniel Esqueda filed a formal complaint against Trustee Oscar Soto on Oct. 25 for remarks the latter made at recent board meetings.
The Uniform Complaint Procedure is in place in cases of “unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying against any protected group, and all programs and activities,” the district’s website states.
The issues in question began during the Sept. 25 board meeting, when Gabriel Medina—who is challenging Soto for his Trustee Area III seat in the Nov. 5 election—urged the board to hold a special election to replace outgoing trustee Jennifer Holm. This would have cost the district $80,000.
The board ultimately voted to appoint a new member.
In his remarks before that vote, Soto said he could not justify the expense in a time of economic uncertainty.
“It’s easy for the public to say, ‘yeah, just spend the money,’ but they don’t realize the effect it has on the district as a whole,” Soto said.
Then later during his remarks, Soto added, “That’s just a clear demonstration of the ignorance in this community.”
That remark prompted criticism from people in the room, including Esqueda, who at the Oct. 23 meeting called out Soto for the remark.
“Vice President Soto, students within the community are deeply hurt by your words,” he said, adding that the comment violated the board governance handbook.
Soto, during his remarks at the same meeting, responded to the student trustee, and also appeared to criticize him for endorsing Medina.
“Mr. Esqueda, you want to be a part of this board, correct? You want to be a member, a colleague? That comment I made was directed at the very person you endorsed,” Soto said. “…that person has no—how should I put it—knowledge and experience of civics. So that comment I made was directed at him based on an outburst from the audience. So I think you should get your facts straight and get your information correct before making any types of accusations.”
That drew boos from the audience, and criticism from several people when they addressed the board during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Esqueda says he was disturbed by Soto’s comment.
“I did see it as a threat, and as an intimidation factor,” he said.
He also said he was disappointed by the lack of response by the other board members, particularly board President Georgia Acosta.
“This behavior shouldn’t be tolerated at all, and I think after Oscar, it falls down onto Georgia because she is the president of the board, and she is responsible for condemning his comments and calling out board members,” Esqueda said. “She is really quick to call out the community whenever they have outbursts.
What we need to do better is hold ourselves accountable and that’s what both of them have failed to do,” he added.
In his complaint, Esqueda also referenced Soto’s remarks at a Oct. 21 special meeting, when Soto said he likes to “kick up my heels and laugh about it” when members of the public criticize him.
In a statement sent via text to this newspaper, Soto said, “The Student Trustee decided to make a comment during his board comments directly to me. When I made my board comments, I responded to the Student Trustee’s comment to me and I did not mean any harm. There was no ill intent on my part in my comments and I certainly did not mean any harm. The Student Trustee has impressed me and I have appreciated his active participation in our board meetings.”
Acosta, also via text, said, “As a Board of Education, we have made a concerted effort to be a highly effective governance team and we will continue to strive for excellence in alignment with our core values. Our last board meeting reflected challenges and I am confident that as a team working together we can continue to move forward and work together to build a great educational environment.”
Under state law, the district has 60 days to investigate Uniform Complaint Procedures.
But it is unclear what consequences—if any—Soto would face, since the system was designed for employees, not elected board members. The district has never received a complaint against a trustee, said spokeswoman Alicia Jimenez.
“We are consulting our legal department about this,” she said.
The truth hurts. Great job Mr. Soto.
The truth was that he called the community ignorant, and the community plus students were hurt by his comments. So, great job to Mr. Soto for being a bully. I would presume that you are the same way.
Yes I am.
Wow o wow! Somebody got their feelings hurt, and said they felt threatened and intimidated? Really?? Mr Soto used the word “ignorance”, not “stupidity”. Ignorance means “without the knowledge of”. To say a person or group of people are ignorant is no different than saying they just don’t know. By no means is it calling anyone stupid. Grow up people! Surely you have better things to do/say then to blame anyone who doesn’t jump on your poor butt hurt wagon!!
Mr Soto hasn’t said or done anything wrong.
I can see that you lack the understanding that ignorance has a negative connotation to it. Out of all the words Mr. Soto could have chosen to say the community was “without the knowledge of”, he chose the word ignorance. Surely you have better things to do/say than to comment on an article, but I suppose this is what comes of ignorant people like yourself
Glad that a bully like Soto will finally have consequences for his disgusting actions. It is so ironic to be a part of a board that is supposed to advocate for students but embody the exact thing that harms them. It’s disheartening to see someone in a position of power misuse their influence and perpetuate a toxic environment. Shame on you Soto. What a childish, immature wimp! VOTE THE DISGUSTING MAN OUT!
Wrong wording used by Soto, but learn and move on. Let’s give constructive criticism and use it to better our community. Let’s make our district stronger.
You can’t move on without holding people accountable. Shut up and educate yourself.
Wrong wording used by Soto, but learn and move on. Let’s give constructive criticism and use it to better our community. Let’s make our district stronger.
You can’t move on without holding people accountable. Shut up and educate yourself.
If you watch the video on YouTube you can clearly see the student trustee is giving a report out on students which included how Soto’s comment about community being “ignorant” made them feel. No need for Soto to react the way he did. He said what he said and then attacked the student for bringing it up. You can hear the audience booing Soto and all the people that spoke against him. No one saw it in good light. Soto not fit be on that Board or in any position of power.
Kudos to the student who spoke up about the inappropriate comments made by a fellow board member. He was correct in pointing out the Mr. Sotos comments were demeaning. Sometimes young oeople can see things more clearly because their minds are not cluttered with a thirst for power or prestige, they just see things as they are. Several comments made by community members are also harsh towards each other, which continues the thread of a confrontational approach. Maybe we could all use a refresher course on being respectful towards each other, even when we have different points of view.