A KQED investigation into two whistleblower retaliation lawsuits led by WBS&J partner Elana Jacobs alleges that educators at Berkeley Maynard Academy were punished for speaking out about failures to provide legally required support for students with disabilities.
The article profiles former assistant principal Iris Velasco and former teacher Maryann Doudna, who say they spoke up to protect students, particularly those with IEPs, English learners, and students from low-income families, and faced serious consequences for doing so.
As Jacobs notes, educators are often the first line of defense for students’ rights, and silencing whistleblowers doesn’t just harm teachers— it puts vulnerable children at risk. The reporting also raises broader questions about accountability and oversight in charter schools.
Read the full story, learn more about these allegations, and why whistleblower protections matter for students, families, and public education. https://www.kqed.org/news/12057191/whistleblower-suits-allege-unsafe-unstable-conditions-at-oaklands-berkley-maynard-academy