CALEXICO — The Calexico Unified School Board will consider censuring one of its board trustees for the third time during tonight’s regular school board meeting.
Newly elected board member Letty Zuno Vizcarra alleges that de facto board trustee Joong Kim harassed her at the Nov. 28 California School Board Association Conference in San Francisco.
Several allegations are made in the agenda item’s backup information and include that Kim “asked to touch Trustee Vizcarra’s abdomen” after she said she was ill.
“Vizcarra repeatedly and emphatically said ‘No’ to Trustee Kim’s repeated unwelcome and offensive requests to touch her abdomen,” and Kim “ignored Trustee Vizcarra’s responses and improperly grabbed Trustee Vizcarra’s hands to put ‘pressure on the nerves,’ during which Trustee Vizcarra pulled her hands away and informed Trustee Kim that he was hurting her,” the agenda backup information reads.
It continues to allege that Kim offered to assist Vizcarra with selecting which conference session to attend but instead “proceeded to say to Trustee Vizcarra that he had intentionally traveled early to San Francisco to influence Trustee Vizcarra and (newly elected) Trustee Ciro Calderon before other Trustees were to arrive.”
Among numerous other allegations, the backup information also reads that Kim reportedly also told Vizcarra that she needed to vote to change bylaws to allow him to be board president in exchange for his appointment of her to the city’s Measure H Committee and Calderon’s appointment as police commissioner.
Moreover, “Trustee Vizcarra reports that Trustee Kim’s harassing conduct is consistent with prior harassing conduct before her election to the District,” the backup reads.
The district board previously censured Kim on Jan. 12, 2012 and May 23 for “unprofessional conduct, and repeated and blatant disregard for board policy, the code of ethics and board protocols.”
Calexico Unified Superintendent Maria Ambriz said it’s as yet “unclear what exactly what else we can do except remind Mr. Kim about his improper behavior and that he needs to cease and desist.”
Calexico Unified Board Member Ruth Duarte will be attending tonight’s meeting via teleconference from Washington D.C.
She said Monday that the hotel was emailed previously in regard posting the agenda as required by law at the hotel location.
If you go
What — Calexico Unified School Board meeting
Where — District Administration board room, 901 Andrade Ave. in Calexico
When — 6 p.m. tonight
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com
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