A recent KQED investigation has brought to light two whistleblower retaliation lawsuits filed by former educators at Berkley Maynard Academy, a North Oakland charter school operated by Aspire Public Schools. The cases, handled by attorney Elana Jacobs of Winer Burritt Scott & Jacobs LLP, allege that school administrators retaliated against educators who raised concerns about failures to provide legally mandated support for students with disabilities. The lawsuits center on former assistant principal Iris Velasco and former teacher Maryann Doudna, who claim they faced punishment after speaking up about systemic lapses in special education services, unsafe learning conditions, and noncompliance with state and federal law.
According to the lawsuits and reporting, teachers and staff described a campus culture where concerns about students with disabilities were ignored or dismissed. This environment allegedly led to worsening classroom conditions, high staff turnover, and students not receiving services mandated by their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Both educators say they raised concerns specifically to protect students with IEPs, English learners, and students from low-income families. Velasco alleges she was terminated shortly after filing a whistleblower complaint, while Doudna says she felt forced to resign after repeated pleas for help went unanswered.
"Educators are often the first to recognize when schools fail to meet their legal obligations to students," said Jacobs. "When they speak up, they're doing so to protect children's educational rights, not to make trouble." The attorney emphasized that the consequences of retaliating against whistleblowers extend far beyond workplace disputes. "This isn't just a workplace dispute, it's about kids with disabilities, English learners, and low-income families whose rights are being ignored," Jacobs stated. "If whistleblowers are silenced, families lose their strongest allies inside the system."
The cases raise significant questions about oversight and accountability within charter school systems. Jacobs noted, "Charter schools are public schools, and they must be held to the same legal standards as any district when it comes to special education compliance and student safety. Aspire markets itself as a champion for equity, but these lawsuits tell a very different story." The full KQED investigation can be accessed at https://www.kqed.org.
Jacobs explained that her clients' motivation extends beyond seeking personal justice. "Our clients came forward not just to seek justice for themselves, but to ensure these practices stop so future students and teachers aren't harmed," she said. "We want to encourage a culture where teachers and administrators can speak up about noncompliance and unsafe learning environments without fear of punishment." The attorney added, "Whistleblowers like Iris and Maryann came forward because they saw systemic failures harming the students who need the most support. Without brave educators willing to raise these concerns, these violations would stay hidden and vulnerable students would continue to suffer."
The lawsuits against Aspire Public Schools remain ongoing, with the charter school operator denying all allegations. These cases highlight the critical role whistleblowers play in exposing systemic failures within educational institutions, particularly regarding the protection of vulnerable student populations who depend on schools to fulfill their legal and ethical obligations. The outcome of these lawsuits could have implications for how charter schools are monitored and held accountable for compliance with special education laws, potentially affecting thousands of students across California and beyond who attend charter institutions.
