Parent Details Ethnic Slur Complaint About LCHS Teacher

Last year, a La Cañada High School student--offended and concerned by ethnic and racial comments allegedly made by the honors geometry teacher--complained to a school counselor, the student's mother told Patch in an exclusive interview.

The student and parent, Debra Archuleta, brought the issue of Gabrielle Leko’s alleged inappropriate remarks–-calling a Jewish student “Jew boy" and referring to him as her “Little Latke’’--to the school administration. Archuleta believed an investigation would commence, but the school did not follow up with Archuleta or her child in any formal way, she said. 

And then the remarks happened again, Archuleta told Patch this week.

“I have no vendetta to get [Leko] fired. I am coming forward publicly in the hopes that more people will be willing to participate in the process, and other parents will be compelled to come forward,’’ said Archuleta, who accompanied Cindy Wilcox last week at her level two grievance hearing with Leko, her union representative and La Cañada Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Patrica Hager.

Wilcox, a member of LCUSD’s governing board, and exhibiting gender discrimination. Although the complaint process is on hiatus over the summer, by October, Wilcox, who's calling for Leko's dismsisal, believed the district was not responding thoroughly to the allegations. She then reached out to the , and the public, to hasten the process.

Parents Read About Ethnic Slur Complaint

That’s when Archuleta and former LCHS parent, Hillary Werhane, saw the news story, and found the whole matter unsettling.

and saying they could go to "hell.'' Werhane is dismayed that Leko is still teaching, she said.

Superintendent Wendy Sinette said the 2009 issue was handled by former Superintendent Jim Stratton using proper procedures and protocols. She declined to state the outcome, as it is a personnel matter.

Regarding the 2010-'11 allegations, Sinnette has said and it "will be thoroughly reviewed consistent with existing procedures established by the district's board policies and collective bargaining agreements.''

No Specific Deadline

As far as a time line for that investigation, Hager wrote in an email to Patch Wednesday, "I am conducting extensive research that involves interviews, reviewing documents, etc. I am moving as quickly as possible, but am also determined to make an informed decision.''

To that comment, Sinnette added, there is no timeline for which a decision must be made in the investigation.

"However, the district is aware of the interests and concerns of both parties, and is working to meet the dual demands of expediting the process and ensuring that the standards of due process and due diligence in the investigation are fully met,'' Sinette wrote in an email.

Mandy Redfern, president of the has said her organization is working closely with the district to address the 2010-11 school year allegations.

Attempts to reach Leko for comment have been unsuccessful.

Because Archuleta and her child attempted to address the ethnic slurs issue last year – prior to Wilcox filing her complaint - she felt that speaking out now was the right thing to do.

“I have no particular stake in this,’’ Archuleta said.

“I just want the truth--what we perceive to be the facts--to come out, the matter to be thoroughly investigated and the appropriate authorities to act on the facts in a manner they see fit,’’ she added.