Update: Turlock Unified School District superintendent faces calls for resignation
In the wake of the arrest of Medeiros Elementary School campus supervisor John Snoke on charges related to child pornography, several community members are calling for the resignation of Turlock Unified School District Superintendent Dana Trevethan and Medeiros Principal Anna Ellerson.
The demands, made during the public comment period at Tuesday night’s school board meeting, stem from allegations that Trevethan was negligent in overseeing school safety.
Snoke, 42, was arrested Jan. 3 and faces two felony charges related to child pornography: one for the possession of child pornography, the other for the transmission or sale of obscene material depicting a minor.
Snoke was apprehended based on a cyber tip related to the distribution of child pornography, which indicated that images had been uploaded through an internet-based application.
During his arrest, investigators did not have reason to believe any students were victims of the alleged offenses. However, they were in the process of examining electronic devices seized from his residence under a search warrant.
According to the district, Snoke began employment at TUSD in 2002 and has held various positions, including para-educator, crossing guard and campus supervisor. He has worked at Turlock High School and Earl and Medeiros elementary schools.
“Over the past 33 years in TUSD, Dana has served in multiple roles during her tenure including as a site administrator at Turlock High School when Mr. Snoke was a student. Contrary to rumors, Dana is not related to Mr. Snoke and his family in any capacity. As Superintendent for nearly nine years, Dana has maintained relationships with many of our employees, specifically with those she has known throughout her years as an educator and leader,” reads a statement provided by the school district Wednesday afternoon.
“Although we are bound by confidentiality in personnel matters, we have no knowledge of any complaints similar to the reported allegations that led to Mr. Snoke’s arrest. Complaints made against an employee are taken seriously by site and District administration and are reviewed and addressed accordingly. As with all employees, Mr. Snoke underwent a Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation background check prior to being employed in TUSD in 2002 and again in 2016 when he was reemployed; no cause to deny employment was ever determined.
“Subsequently, and contrary to what some have alleged, TUSD received no reports of any wrongdoing from any of Mr. Snoke’s previous places of employment. We continue to fully cooperate with Turlock Police Department in their investigation and are thankful no connections to TUSD students have been determined.”
Several parents and students at the meeting expressed their safety concerns. Attendees held up signs urging Trevethan’s resignation, and chanted for her dismissal.
During her public comment, parent Kelli Torres Almatran called for an investigation into the decision to retain Snoke on the payroll despite ongoing complaints from both staff and parents over the years. (The Bee has not learned the nature of the alleged complaints.) She emphasized her concern for the safety of special education children, who are unable to advocate for themselves if abuse were to occur.
“You all allowed a child predator to feel safe inside of a school campus with innocent children,” Almatran said.
Giana Almatran, a student at Medeiros Elementary, said she would be taking “a leave of absence” until she feels safe and until the school takes full responsibility.
“Do not expect our parents to fill your school’s pockets if you’re going to fill our school with predators,” Giana Almatran said.
Ivory Hamilton, a sixth-grader at Medeiros, recounted persistent complaints against Snoke and criticized the district for relocating him, exposing vulnerable children to potential harm.
Before speaking during public comment, community activist and We “R” La Raza Parents Union founder Debbie Martinez gave to each board member a press release calling for Trevethan’s dismissal.
“When we have to have our children come to the podium and say that they’re afraid to go to school, there’s a problem,” Martinez said. “An administration problem.”
The board remained silent before leaving to privately convene. In accordance with California’s Brown Act, the board of trustees are prohibited from deliberating on matters raised during public comments that were not included on the agenda.
This story was originally published January 10, 2024 at 2:24 PM.
