In a concerning turn of events, Kenneth Goeken, the Director of Child Welfare and Attendance at Stockton Unified School District (SUSD), has been placed on administrative leave and escorted off district premises under allegations of retaliation. The incident unfolded last week after Goeken raised concerns about enrollment issues and unethical expulsion practices within the district.
Previously serving as the senior director of special education for Pleasanton Unified School District, Goeken joined SUSD in mid-last year. His troubles began shortly after he openly discussed his concerns with the media regarding certain district practices. According to Goeken, after two such interactions with the press, he was summoned to the district office last Thursday. There, Susana Ramirez, the Assistant Superintendent of SUSD's Student Services Division, allegedly informed him that police would be present as he was to pack his belongings and would not be permitted to return to campus. He was informed that his administrative leave would extend until June 30, coinciding with the expiration of his contract with the district, and he would not be returning the following school year.
Goeken believes the district's actions were in direct response to his media interactions and the fear of public scrutiny that they might induce. He pointed out a specific instance earlier in the year which might have triggered the district's harsh response. During a school board closed session meeting on February 13, a decision was made regarding a seventh-grade student from Hoover Elementary School, who had allegedly assaulted a teacher and was facing expulsion. The expulsion did not pass due to insufficient votes, yet Goeken claimed he was pressured to place the student on independent study against the board's decision, an action he deemed illegal.
The situation escalated when Goeken refused to comply with the directive to mislead the student's parent about the expulsion status during a meeting. He alleged that during this meeting, controlled by Kasey Klappenback, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, false information was relayed to the parent.
In February, Goeken filed an Office of Civil Rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, challenging the treatment of the expulsion case. Subsequently, the student was expelled after the issue was reintroduced on the board's agenda.
The fallout from these events culminated in a claim by Glendaly Gascot-Rios, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, that Goeken would be fired for reaching out to the parent about the board's decision.
Goeken's situation highlights deeper issues within SUSD, signaling potential systemic problems related to student safety and administrative transparency. He lamented, "The worst part though isn't myself, it's staff in Stockton now see that even a director who handles expulsions was retaliated and fired for speaking up for students and staff and trying to protect them."
As the community and stakeholders await further developments, this case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that can arise when educational leaders stand against unethical practices within their institutions.
