Category: Community

Parents and professors: Reinstate vice principal, commit to equity Chico Unified grapples with equity issues in wake of Rosedale suspension

photo by Karen Laslo
Protesters outside a May 18 CUSD Board of Trustees meeting.

by Natalie Hanson
posted May 22

Following the suspension of a Rosedale Elementary assistant vice principal, families around Chico are calling on Chico Unified School District (CUSD) and the school board to not only reverse the decision, but to also take action on equity.

Joana Campos Castañeda, known as Joana Campos at Rosedale, was placed on leave last month and alleged she was told that her methods as an assigned equity lead were not appropriate for the school.

Since the decision, many parents and some Chico State educators have stepped forward to rally on Castañeda’s behalf and petition district leaders to commit to furthuring equity. A Chico State attorney has filed a complaint against the district on behalf of his Rosedale child, arguing that CUSD lacks “clearly defined procedures with respect to equity programs.” read more

Expert: Wounds contradict cop’s killing claim Chico PD discloses records on Mark Bass’ slaying of ‘Gabe’ Sanchez

screenshot from Chico PD’s 3D video showing where Gabe Sanchez was struck by police bullets.

by Dave Waddell
posted May 11

A top expert on police use of force says a newly disclosed investigative video seems to contradict key claims made by Chico police officer Mark Bass about his killing of Eddie Gabriel “Gabe” Sanchez in 2015.

The video, a three-dimensional depiction of Sanchez’s fatal wounds, was released by the Chico Police Department in response to a California Public Records Act (PRA) request submitted by this reporter in November 2020.

Sanchez, 34, grew up in Paradise. He was shot to death by Bass while fleeing along Pomona Avenue in west Chico. The killing garnered little media attention, let alone scrutiny, compared with the several Chico police shootings that have followed. read more

Sanchez’s killer accused of abusing wife Physical, verbal assaults claimed during separation

from Chico PD video
Mark Bass

by Dave Waddell
posted May 11

Seven years before killing Eddie Gabriel “Gabe” Sanchez, Chico cop Mark Bass was accused by his wife, Barbara Reed-Bass, of assaulting her physically and verbally during a turbulent separation prior to their divorce.

In a Butte County Superior Court declaration, Reed-Bass also reported allegations that Bass had shot his gun while drunk and in distress late on New Year’s Eve 2008, leading to an involuntary mental health hold.

The domestic violence claims made by Reed-Bass, detailed in Superior Court files, concerned several incidents in 2008. Sanchez, an armed robbery suspect, was shot to death by Bass while fleeing on Nov. 10, 2015. Bass was a Chico PD detective at the time and later promoted to sergeant. read more

Chicoans protest Supreme Court opinion on abortion Nationwide, protesters vent anger at draft opinion overturning abortion rights

photo by Karen Laslo

Almost 300 people joined a May 3 rally at City Plaza, protesting the leaked draft Supreme Court opinion that indicates that Roe v. Wade will be overturned.

The draft opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito is “full of right-wing talking points and such poor history that historians have spent the day explaining the actual history of abortion in the United States,” writes historian Heather Cox Richardson here. The rally was organized quickly by Women’s March Chico.

La subdirectora y líder de equidad de Rosedale Elementary informa que la han suspendido Inquietud entre los padres de familia

foto por Leslie Layton
Subdirectora de la escuela Rosedale, Joana Campos Castañeda era tambien la líder de equidad.

por Natalie Hanson
publicado 2 de Mayo

Read this story in Enlish here.

Los padres de familia de Rosedale Elementary reclaman la necesidad de hacer un cambio después de que la subdirectora, quien también era la líder oficial de equidad/justicia, reportó que la han obligado a tomar una licencia administrativa.

Joana Campos Castañeda, la subdirectora, y este año también líder de equidad, declaró que la suspendieron de sus responsabilidades por “insubordinación” después de que ella expresó su dudas y preocupaciones sobre el enfoque de la escuela para lograr la inclusión. Aunque se la conoce como Ms. Campos, la administradora ahora usa Castañeda como su apellido. read more

Rosedale Elementary vice principal and equity leader says she has been suspended Parents worry that backlash on social media prompted administrative leave

photo by Leslie Layton
Rosedale Assistant Vice Principal Joana Campos Castañeda speaking with concerned parents earlier this week.

by Natalie Hanson
posted April 27

Parents are calling for change after a Rosedale Elementary assistant vice principal, who acted as equity leader for the school, said she has been placed on administrative leave.

Joana Campos Castañeda, known at Rosedale as Ms. Campos, alleges that she has been suspended for insubordination after voicing concerns about the school’s approach to inclusion, while serving part-time as equity team lead this year.

Chico Unified School District (CUSD) administrators have declined to comment on any disciplinary action or investigation, and Castañeda is still listed as Vice Principal Joana Campos on Rosedale’s website. read more