AUSD chief, board issue statements on AHS principal's leave

By Mike Chaldu · Sat Nov 07 2026

District also hears updates on food services and academic dashboard

ATASCADERO — Nearly more than two weeks after it was announced that Atascadero High School Principal Nikki Baca had been put on paid administrative leave, the Atascadero Unified School District and its Board of Trustees officially addressed the situation during the board meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Board President Denise McGrew-Kane read a statement from the board addressing Baca's leave. "On Oct. 17, the principal of Atascadero High School, Nikki Baca, was placed on paid investigative leave pending an investigation into allegations of misconduct," McGrew-Kane said. "Paid administrative leave is a standard non-disciplinary measure that allows the district to conduct a thorough, fair, and impartial review. Administrative leave is not a finding of wrongdoing."

The statement also mentioned allegations made toward AUSD Superintendent Dr. Thomas Bennett at the previous board meeting by Nikki Baca's husband, Joseph, who hinted at personal comments overheard by Nikki Baca during her evaluation, and her being removed from strategic planning sessions.

"The board is aware of allegations made against the superintendent during public comment at a recent board meeting," McGrew-Kane said. "In response, the board is following up on these allegations to ensure all employees' rights are protected."

McGrew went on to say that the board had engaged the services of an outside law firm to conduct the investigation, and that the district is limited in what they can say publicly.

During public comment, four speakers addressed Baca's situation. The first speaker, retired AUSD administrator Jackie Martin, expressed support for the administration and board for the decisions they have to make.

"I've been asked a lot of questions about something I know nothing about," she said, apparently having been asked about Baca's leave. "I'm just here to say that the day-to-day operation of the district can be challenging and require thoughtful deliberation. I express my support because I know how tough it is."

The other three speakers expressed their support for Baca.

Carrie White, the president of the Committee for Atascadero Public Schools and the mother of two AHS students, praised Baca's support and collaboration in working with her, while saying she had not gotten that support from some in the administration. She also questioned why Baca was put on leave pending investigation into allegations, and Bennett wasn't.

Tara Patterson, a social studies teacher at AHS, said when she was assigned to do a case study of a leader for her Master's program, she picked Baca, and in her research found that the graduation rate rose and suspension rate dropped during her time, and called her "a positive presence on campus."

Mark Cappozzola, a parent of two AHS students and a volunteer for various school programs, praised Baca's constant presence and implored the board and administration to "bring our Nikki back."

After public comment, Bennett made his statement during the superintendent's report, repeating the board's statement that Baca being put on leave "is not proof of wrongdoing."

"Thanks to all the speakers for their thoughts," said Bennett, who missed the previous meeting because he had surgery. "I recognize the strong feelings on this, and respect your perspectives. As I said in my recent message to parents, the district has a responsibility to hear concerns. I reaffirm our commitment to respect rights for everyone."

In other business, Felicia Ulibarri, the district's director of Support Services, gave a report on the district's food services and its efforts to offer healthier choices to the students.

"We've been making efforts at replacing packaged food items with those from scratch," Ulibarri said. "We're most proud of our partnership with local farmers/producers, which is up to 14 now. Last year, we used 18,000 pounds of local produce."

Ulibarri also touted the addition to AUSD's main kitchens of tilt skillets, which she called a "game changer," and immersion blenders, which allowed them to make homemade ranch dressing and breakfast smoothies. She also said staff is constantly being trained in culinary skills and food safety practices.

Ulibarri also praised the district's partnership with the Chef Ann Foundation, which offers apprenticeships to the district's food workers, and fellowships for food managers and directors, which Ulibarri told the board she had just applied for.

Finally, Ulibarri highlighted the proposed the CAF Values-Aligned Purchasing Collective Program, which would allowthe district to join the Central Coast School Nutrition Cooperative, giving it access to newly awarded values-aligned food product contracts.

"This involves aggregating our purchasing power in hopes of securing better pricing and reducing administrative burden," she said.

The agreement to join, however, did require approval by the board, which was the next item on the agenda. The trustees voted 7-0 to approve the item and join the program.

In another item, Assistant Superintendent for Education Dr. Benita Scheckel presented the California School Dashboard results from last school year. The Dashboard charts student progress in a number of areas and different student groups separated by ethnic and social demographics.

Scheckel celebrated the district's improvements in attendance, with chronic absenteeism down from 19.4% to 14.5%; more students graduating, with graduation rates at 94.7% in the district, including 98.0% at AHS; and reductions in suspensions, with the Atascadero Middle School's rate, for one, going from 11.2% to 7.1%.

Areas of priority moving forward, according to Scheckel, was stronger core literacy and math instruction; targeted support for multilingual learners and students with disabilities; and sustained attendance, belonging, and postsecondary pathway work.

The district board will meet next on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m.