Juanita Fights the School Board by Gloria Velásquez

Author:Gloria Velásquez
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arte Público Press
Published: 1994-04-14T16:00:00+00:00

When I arrived at the school administration building, Juanita and her parents were already there, standing next to their car talking with Sam. I got out of the car and hurried over to meet them.

“Hello, Sam. Hi, Juanita,” I said, trying not to sound fatigued. Then I switched to Spanish and greeted Mr. and Mrs. Chávez. I politely shook hands with Mr. Chávez.

“Let’s hurry and go inside, Sandy,” Sam said. “They’re waiting for us.” We turned and followed Sam into the conference room.

Inside, Sam pointed to the same seats we had occupied in the previous meeting. As we sat down, I noticed several new faces across the room that I hadn’t seen at the last meeting. Also, the interpreter seemed to be eyeing me suspiciously.

After a few minutes Dr. Larson cleared his voice and began speaking into his microphone.

“The board has convened to hear the proposed disciplinary action against Juanita Chávez. I am Carl Larson, President of the School Board. The Chávez family is represented by Mr. Sam Turner. The nature of this hearing is to hear evidence relative to the charges against Juanita Chávez. Will all the people who intend to speak or testify at this meeting please stand and raise your right hand.”

Sam and several of the new people present stood up, raising their right hands. This was suddenly beginning to sound like a court trial.

“Do each of you swear or affirm that the testimony you may give in this hearing shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?” asked Dr. Larson.

Everyone standing repeated, “I do.” Then Dr. Larson instructed them to sit down again. The interpreter’s voice was buzzing away, translating every word for Mr. and Mrs. Chávez. I noticed that Juanita was twirling a long strand of hair. She had every right to feel nervous. I patted her arm gently.

Dr. Larson started to speak again. “At this time, I would like to introduce Mr. Ted Robbins, Attorney at Law for the Roosevelt School District. He will be conducting the hearing today.”

I saw Sam jerk his head up. I could tell by the look on his face that he was as startled as I was. I leaned across Juanita and whispered to him, “Didn’t they say it would be informal?”

Dr. Larson then turned to Mr. Robbins and said, “Please state your name before speaking.”

“My name is Ted Robbins. I’m the legal counsel appearing on behalf of the school administration. This involves an expulsion case concerning one of the students in your district. Her name is Juanita Chávez. Miss Chávez has been charged with battery on school grounds this fall. To prove that she engaged in this misconduct, and to give you the grounds for dismissal, we are going to call several witnesses. These witnesses are Mr. Jones, Dean of Students at Roosevelt High School, and two eyewitnesses to the battery, Mrs. Janice Allen and Mrs. Elizabeth Fellini, both teachers. Now I would like to call your attention to a document which is in the packet which was presented before the hearing to the Board.

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