San Rafael school board suspends trustee accused of molestation
The San Rafael City Schools board voted Friday to suspend a trustee who was arrested on allegations of molesting a teen.
The board approved a resolution ordering Isai Nicodemo Rodas, 22, to “refrain from and suspend all business associated with his role as a board member pending the outcome of the criminal allegations.”
That includes “attendance at board meetings, visitation of schools or school programs, functions or any other trustee-related duty,” the resolution states.
“Basically, we’re asking him to take a pause as a board member until there is an outcome of the criminal case,” said Carmen Diaz Ghysels, the district superintendent.
Diaz Ghysels said the district is acting on the advice of legal counsel.
“He’s still innocent until proven guilty,” Diaz Ghysels said. “The only way he would be removed is if he were convicted.”
Rodas, who was elected trustee last year, could not be reached for comment.
The vote occurred during a special board meeting Friday morning. It was the first action by the district since the June 11 announcement of Rodas’ arrest by the San Rafael Police Department.
Police allege Rodas had sexual contact with a 16-year old student at Marin’s Community School in San Rafael in 2023, when he was employed as a paraeducator with the Marin County Office of Education. Rodas was booked by police and released on bail.
The Marin County District Attorney’s Office is still reviewing whether to file charges, District Attorney Lori Frugoli said Friday.
Carolina Martin, the president of the five-member school board, said she has been flooded with emails and phone calls from residents concerned about the allegations.
“I know everyone is aware of this very serious matter,” she said at the meeting on Friday. “We’re just here to be protective of our students and teachers and to keep business as usual, focused on education.”
Trustee Jason Lau said, “These are really serious charges, but still accusations. He’s entitled to due process of law.”
At the same time, Lau said, “student safety is top priority.”
“The most important thing we do is to protect student safety and the well-being of our students and teachers,” he said.
The resolution does not mince words in terms of the accusations.
“The board of education finds the allegations against trustee Rodas abhorrent and antithetical to the aforementioned values of the board and district,” it said.
Diaz Ghysels said the district has had no discussions about appointing a replacement for Rodas.
“There is no open seat,” she said.
Rodas ran unopposed in the November election to fill the seat being vacated by Marina Palma, who declined to seek a new term. Because Rodas faced no opposition, his name did not appear on the ballot.
Rodas represents Trustee Area 5, which includes parts of the Dominican neighborhood, downtown, the Canal area and the southern neighborhoods. According to the school district’s website, Rodas is a student at the College of Marin.
Marin Independent Journal reporter Cameron Macdonald contributed to this story.