Families press AUHSD for independent investigation, updated anti-bullying and suicide-prevention policies after student death
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Summary
Community members demanded an independent probe, transparent disciplinary action and modernized safety policies at an Anaheim Union High School District meeting, saying district policies date to 2003–2005 and web resources are broken.
Dozens of parents, students and community members urged the Anaheim Union High School District board on Nov. 18 to launch independent investigations and overhaul policies after the death of 13-year-old Mia Mejia.
Laurie Hernandez told trustees the district’s nondiscrimination and harassment policy "is clear" but said the district has not met its obligations. "These rules...were written before the first smartphone ever existed," Hernandez said, calling the district’s student-safety pages "functionally empty" and urging immediate action.
Speakers including Veronica Mejia, a family member, alleged the district failed Mia and her family by not promptly disciplining or transparently reporting findings. "You say you heard us, but you didn't listen," Veronica Mejia said, and asked the board to retain an impartial investigator with no ties to the district.
Community members asked for several specific steps: a publicly accountable independent investigation, disciplinary action where warranted, immediate bereavement supports facilitated by an independent mental-health professional, mandatory anti-bullying and suicide-prevention programs, and full public disclosure of investigation findings. Several commenters said district crisis resources and communications to the family had not been followed as posted in district guidelines.
Board members acknowledged the grief and said the board is "looking inward" at district practices; the board did not take new formal action during the meeting. President O'Neil expressed sympathy and said trustees take the family's concerns seriously, but also noted that board members cannot discuss individual personnel or student cases during public comment.
What to watch: Community leaders requested a publicly disclosed timeline for an independent inquiry and sustained investment in suicide-prevention resources. The Mejia family’s requests, as presented to the board, remain unresolved in this meeting record.
Quoted speakers in this article are identified in the meeting transcript and spoke during the public-comment period.