KQED Investigation Highlights Whistleblower Lawsuits Alleging Retaliation Against Educators Who Raised Special Education Concerns at North Oakland Charter School.
OAKLAND, CA, January 16, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A recent in-depth KQED investigation spotlighted two whistleblower retaliation lawsuits brought by former educators at Berkley Maynard Academy, a North Oakland charter school operated by Aspire Public Schools. The cases are being handled by Elana Jacobs, partner at Winer Burritt Scott & Jacobs LLP, and center on allegations that school administrators retaliated against educators who raised concerns about failures to provide legally required support for students with disabilities.
The KQED article profiles Iris Velasco, a former assistant principal, and Maryann Doudna, a former teacher, who allege they were punished after speaking up about systemic lapses in special education services, unsafe learning conditions, and noncompliance with state and federal law.
Both educators say they raised concerns to protect students—particularly those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), English learners, and students from low-income families.
"Educators are often the first to recognize when schools fail to meet their legal obligations to students," said Jacobs. "When they speak up, they're doing so to protect children's educational rights, not to make trouble."
According to the lawsuits and reporting, teachers and staff described a campus culture where concerns...
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