CUSD board members respond to potential recall

Four members of the Chico Unified School District Board of Trustees are targeted in a recall effort made by the Chico Parents for In-Person Learning group.

The parent group is pushing for a recall of trustees Caitlin Dalby, Tom Lando, Kathleen Kaiser and Eileen Robinson.

The recall effort is fueled by mounting frustration from parents who want their children to be back in school full time and in-person. On Feb. 3, the school board voted 4-1 to keep Chico Unified schools in the modified a.m./p.m. model for the remainder of the year.

“It’s understandable that people are upset and frustrated about the circumstances and everything that we’ve gone through the last year. Everybody is frustrated and tired and wants what’s best for kids,” Dalby said. “I’m happy that the board is working together for the health and safety of our staff. We just need to stay focused with only 11 weeks left of the school year.”

Lando, who was elected in 2018, said he applauds the parent group for being engaged and that pursuing a recall is within their rights.

“People are angry, and they have every right to be angry. It’s a terrible situation,” Lando said. “This year has been hard for a lot of people. The district is trying to focus all of our energy that a full reopening is possible in the fall.”

Lando also added that reopening schools full time on short notice is complex and consists of many moving pieces. Lando said reopening full-time and possibly jeopardizing any future state funding would hurt the district in the future.

“One of the unpopular things we have to do is look at the district longterm and making sure we aren’t putting ourselves in a position to lose state funding or put ourselves in a position where we’re breaking any state laws,” Lando said.

Board president Eileen Robinson is currently serving her third team. She was elected to the school board in 2010. Her term expires in 2022.

“I’m sorry a group feels a recall is necessary. It is a part of our political processes but by the time the process is completed, if successful, it would be nine months in the future. Their issue would no longer be relevant,” Robinson wrote in an email. “I’m sorry they have not agreed with our decision to continue on a.m./p.m. and not have to reassign as many as 1,000 students into new classes.”

Kaiser, the board vice president, has served the longest with four terms. She was first elected in 2006 and her term in office expires in 2022.

Dalby, who was elected in November along with trustee Matt Tennis, said her focus remains on a potential full, in-person reopening come the fall.

“Recalls are part of our democracy, and it’s a democratic process,” Dalby said. “I’m just focused on supporting our district leadership and working with the board to plan for the fall and keep ensuring the health and safety of our students.”