Statement by Lily Nunez For every headline, there is the story behind the story. This is my voice, my story.

Although the statutes of limitations have run out for reporting the harassment and hostile work environment that I was exposed to even though I reported it at the time that it occurred, it is evident that power continues to spawn over harassment, abuse, and doing what is right in LAUSD. My original claims were never investigated due to the power and intimidation that my then, immediate supervisor, wielded on staff. On May 29, 2013, as I was interviewed about my knowledge of staff related to the child abuse allegations surrounding the Miramonte and Pimentel cases, I was weighed down by a very heavy personal sense of guilt, a responsibility. Being very much aware of the culture that reigns heavily in the vast LAUSD, I decided to speak out for the second time. I decided to share my experience, one that is all too familiar to many district employees. LAUSD requires change. As an assistant, in a district-represented position, I could not afford to go public but I was hopeful that by speaking up, I would not stand alone and therefore would find the strength that would evoke change in numbers, and LAUSD would finally enact change. On Tuesday, July 2, 2013, as the new LAUSD board was voted in, I realized that once again, power had prevailed, and again, I would stand alone against LAUSD. Today, I hope that my voice empowers others to step up and speak out. I hope that LAUSD looks deeper into my allegations and acts on making the much needed changes to ensure that employees are no longer forced to work in situations where they are bullied, harassed or abused. I hope that my voice triggers a change in our current harassment reporting protocols so that the families of the youth of Los Angeles will have peace of mind when sending their children to schools where the culture is no longer one that covers up for bullies or abusive supervisors. I hope that LAUSD can be a school district where children attend schools that are always free of abuse, because employees will no longer fear retaliation when filing reports of known abusive behavior, and where it is clear to all employees that abusive behavior will not be tolerated. I am not a snitch or a whistleblower. I am a victim of workplace harassment and a victim of the dysfunction of LAUSD, a school district where self-empowered political bullies continue to use students, parents, and staff as pawns for their personal and political gain. I find it appalling that any educational institution would condone, promote, or vote in, anyone into any high level leadership position that has been publicly nicknamed Dr. Death. I have faith that now that our board is aware of the details and the severity of my allegations, and those of many others, they too will stand up to abuse and take action on my behalf, and on behalf of the many other employees and students that have been victimized by bullies, or so called passionate bosses.