Dateline Montebello — A raucous standing room only crowd that spilled out in to the lobby gathered Friday morning at a special meeting of the Montebello Unified School District Board.

They were protesting the imminent firing of Supt. Susana Contreras-Smith and Chief Financial Operations Officer Cleve Pell.
Board President Ben Cardenas, a good friend of ABC Board member Lynda Johnson, and a man whom Ms. Johnson once called a “great leader” who keeps “his” superintendent on his toes, was instrumental in the firing.

As called to approve the day’s agenda, Board Clerk Hector Chacon said, “I opposed the agenda.”

More than 20 teachers and staff angrily and passionately protested the firing of Mr. Pell and Ms. Contreras. They spoke of the many accomplishments of the two.

Some even broke down into tears. Mostly, though, it was anger.

Former Montebello Treasurer and federal prosecutor Charlie Pell, whose father is Cleve Pell, blasted the Board for their actions. “There is no legal notice — you legally cannot take action today because Mr. Pell is an officer of the MUSD,” the younger Mr. Pell said.

He went on: “Where is the emergency? This is in no way an emergency meeting. The transparency and timing of this meeting looks very bad.”

Mr. Chacon, Clerk of the Board, took the unusual step of speaking after the public comments. He, too, was concerned about the meeting.

“An emergency meeting?” he asked. “Where is the emergency? There was no earthquake.”

Mr. Chacon kept blasting the Board. “Everything has to do with the bond (Measure GS) getting passed,” he charged.

Basically it is about the money. I am hereby tendering my resignation as Clerk of the Board in protest, I am not going to sign anything that comes from this Board.”

Board members subsequently adjourned to closed session and voted 5-0 to place the two on administrative leave.
Sources also told Hews Media Group-Community News that the Board appointed Anthony Martinez as interim superintendent.

This article originated at Los Cerritos News.