Page 3 - Dinuba Sentinel 5-3-18 E-edition

The Dinuba Sentinel News
Dinuba Uni ed employee terminated despite protest
Thursday, May 3, 2018 | A3 Toplacechurchandclubnews
in The Sentinel, call 591-4632
By Jackson Moore News@thedinubasentinel.com
The Dinuba Unified School District Board of Trustees April 26 meeting was filled as a district employee faced charges of termination.
A representative for the board read nine charges against school bus maintenance worker Catarino Alvarado. Immediately after, the same number, nine, represented the amount of people that came to Alvarado’s defense, Alvarado included.
The charges against Alvarado were named: insubordination; incompetence or inefficiency in the duties of the position; carelessness or negligence in the performance of duty or in the care or use of district property; discourteous, offensive or abrasive conduct or language toward other employees, pupils or the public; dishonesty; falsifying information given to the district; persistent violation or refusal to obey safety rules; willful conduct intending to injure the ability of the district to fulfil its obligations to the public; and theft.
A statement was read: "Employees are expected to
maintain the highest ethical standards, exhibit professional behavior ... You have failed to maintain the highest ethical standards and failed to exhibit professional conduct in your employment. As a mechanic, you are responsible for the safety of students and staff to travel on district school busses and your failure to follow the directions of your superiors put their safety in jeopardy."
Alvarado requested that the allegations be read aloud at the meeting. It took about 15 minutes for a detailed report of all the allegations to be read aloud to the audience. It was also explained that Alvarado did not request a hearing when given the opportunity. Alvarado and two representatives from the California School Employees Association (CSEA) claimed that the process of notifying Alvarado about requesting a hearing was miscommunicated.
“In 20-plus years I have never been in trouble and always given my best effort,” Alvarado said to the board. “I’m asking you, the board, to allow me to have a hearing. I was given so many stacks of papers, that when I received the packet with a notice
I thought it was just a copy of the stacks I had... I was expecting a letter and didn’t get a letter, but all I got was a package of papers.
“I’m not asking you to decide whether I am guilty or not, but I am asking that you allow me to have a hearing. I hope that since I have served Dinuba Unified for well more than 20 years, you would see fit to not take action today and allow me to have a hearing.”
CSEA said that they had requested the notice for a hearing request and did not receive it.
CSEA labor relations representative Kasey Oliver said, “What we’re asking is you give Mr. Alvarado his due process through the hearing. If after the hearing, the evidence supports termination, then so be it. We understand that. But how do you do that when all you have is an allegation that has no proof or merit to it?”
Six more – both coworkers and former coworkers – also voiced their support for Alvarado during the public hearing.
Former Dinuba High Principal Ron Lyons, who later oversaw Alvarado in the transportation department, said of the charges, “There are some concerns in my mind that they actually took
place.”
Other coworkers called the
allegations “false” and “bogus.” Another said, “If I had anyone working by my side in any task at all, it would be Cat. I don’t believe it.” Others said they should have been interviewed about Alvarado’s performance.
The back of the room was lined with about 10 more individuals holding picket signs that read messages such as, “Honor the contract."
After the public hearing, the board held a closed session meeting for more than 30 minutes on the item.
Once returning to the open meeting, it was announced that the board voted unanimously, 4-0, to terminate Alvarado immediately. Board Member Bev Keel-Worrell was absent.
“Shame on you,” said Oliver as Alvarado and his supporters left the room.
A statement from the Dinuba Unified School District said, “Information came to the District’s attention that the mechanic may not have been performing his duties in a manner that ensured the safe transportation of district students. The District conducted a thorough investigation of the allegations, interviewed relevant witnesses, and reviewed all of the relevant evidence. Based on all of the evidence, the District determined that cause existed to terminate the employee.
“The employee was provided with a copy of the termination charges and given an initial opportunity to respond. The employee was then given the right to request a hearing. The employee did not timely file a request for a hearing; however, the employee asked that the District read the charges aloud in open session. As required by law, the employee’s request was granted and the charges justifying termination were read in open session at tonight’s board meeting.”
Superintendent Dr. Joe Hernandez said, “Student safety is the District’s Number One priority.”
inside his shirt.
He was arrested in the 300
block of South L Street and transferred to county jail.
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Coworkers and family members held signs in support of Alvarado before and throughout the DUSD Board meeting.
Sentinel staff report
Juliana Margarita Rodriguez, 21, of Dinuba, was booked April 26 on suspicion of burglary, a felony.
The suspect was arrested after video surveillance and DNA from the crime scene linked her to a burglary, a Dinuba Police report said.
She was arrested in the 300 block of North I Street and transferred to county jail.
• Martin Pacheco Aguilera, 55, of Dinuba, was booked April 29 on suspicion of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, a felony.
The suspect allegedly grabbed the victim by the arm during an altercation and caused “bruising to her right bicep,” a Dinuba Police report said.
He was arrested in the 200 block of Ramblewood Drive and transferred to county jail.
• A 14-year-old girl was booked April 28 on suspicion of battery, a misdemeanor.
She allegedly “punched” a parent after her cell phone was taken away.
She was arrested in the 400 block of Alice Avenue and transferred to juvenile hall.
• David James Gonzales, 39, of Orosi, was booked April 27 on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.
The suspect was reportedly contacted in the women’s restroom at the Dinuba Transit Center. The suspect was found to have an outstanding warrant. A pat-down search allegedly revealed a plastic bag with “a white crystal like substance” in the suspect’s sock.
Arrests
He was arrested in the 100 block of West Merced Street, cited and released.
• Tanisha Danielle Lee, 33, of Dinuba, was booked April 27 on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.
Police contacted the suspect with suspicion that she was under the influence of methamphetamine - the suspect allegedly admitted to being under the influence.
She was arrested at Dinuba High School and transferred to county jail.
• Gabriel Moreno Garcia, 42, of Dinuba, was booked April 26 on suspicion of battery to a spouse or cohabitant, a misdemeanor.
He allegedly grabbed the victim’s shoulders, shook them forcefully and shoved them. He was allegedly intoxicated.
The suspect was arrested in the 1400 block of South College Avenue and transferred to county jail.
• Natalie Nicole Batrez, 18, of Dinuba, was booked April 26 on suspicion of shoplifting, a misdemeanor.
She was arrested at Wal-Mart, cited and released.
• Manuel George Villagomez, 22, of Dinuba, was booked April 26 on suspicion of battery to a spouse or cohabitant and violating a court order, both misdemeanors.
The suspect allegedly pushed the victim, a Dinuba Police report said.
He was arrested in the 900 block of College Lane and transferred to county jail on active warrants.
• Dicnael Lupe Moreno, 38, of Dinuba, was booked April 26 on
suspicion of possessing unlawful paraphernalia and possessing a controlled substance, both misdemeanors.
The suspect was reported to police for drinking and looking into windows of homes within city limits. Police allegedly found the suspect in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
He was arrested in the 800 block of First Avenue, cited and released.
• Ray Alvarado, 35, of Dinuba, was booked April 25 on suspicion of violating a court order, a misdemeanor.
He was arrested in the 100 block of Dickey Avenue and transferred to county jail.
• Oran David Gaylord, 29, was booked April 24 on suspicion of threatening with the intent to terrorize, a felony.
The suspect allegedly struck a business’s sign and told an employee, “How would you like to be shot in the chest?” The suspect reportedly had his hands
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Proud parents Jeff and Katherine Phillips would like to recognize and congratulate their daughter Aprill Phillips for her outstanding achievements of which include being inducted
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