Overview

• Sixth-grade students at Phoebe Hearst Elementary walked out Wednesday to join parents protesting the removal of teacher Jeanine Rupert from the school.
• Rupert was taken off the Phoebe Hearst staff and reassigned to another campus, remaining a Sacramento City Unified School District employee as the district declines to discuss personnel specifics.
• Parents say Rupert and students pulled up an old classroom carpet at the end of last school year after a flea infestation and years of unanswered requests to replace it.
• SCUSD says its investigation determined the carpet removal did not damage asbestos tiles or cause exposure, and staff will contact families to address safety concerns.
• The district says the reassignment will not be reversed, describing it as a fresh start after a lapse in judgment, while families report inconsistent instruction and continue to call for her return.