New documents ABC10 obtained from SCUSD show the timeline and reasoning behind the discipline of a longtime, beloved teacher, which has sparked outrage from parents.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A teacher enlisted the use of students, hammers and a crowbar to remove carpeting in her classroom during instructional hours.
Those are among the new details ABC10 is learning about the discipline of a longtime, beloved teacher.
Many parents, students and teachers of Phoebe Hearst Elementary School have been protesting Sacramento City Unified School District’s (SCUSD) removal of sixth grade teacher Jeanine Rupert, who had taught at the school since 2000.
ABC10 obtained documents from the district Wednesday, which spell out the timeline – and reasons for – her discipline.
On or about June 10, the district says, Rupert ripped up carpeting in her classroom during instructional time, enlisting the help of at least three students – and using hammers and a crowbar to do so.
ABC10 has reported this happened during a flea infestation, but the district said Wednesday—the flea infestation had been eliminated prior to the carpet-ripping incident.
On July 11, SCUSD notified Rupert district officials were putting her on administrative leave, pending an investigation into the incident.
On August 29, SCUSD sent Rupert a Notice of Unprofessional Conduct, saying she, “intentionally damaged public property by ripping out the carpet in your classroom, disregarding the safety and well being of students and staff at Phoebe Heart [sic] Elementary, and wasting instructional minutes by pulling up the carpet with student assistance during the school day. This action has also brought a significant and unexpected expense to the district.”
The notice says repairing and replacing the flooring in the classroom cost more than $22,185.72. The report suggests much of the cost came from testing for asbestos—which the district ultimately said was never exposed.
Responding to the district in a letter dated Sept. 11, Rupert admitted she did attempt to remove the carpet, saying, “This carpet, as well as similar carpet in nearby rooms, quickly became stained, foul-smelling, frayed and in the spring of 2025 riddled with fleas. I believe it was a potential health hazard [and]…tripping hazard…for my students, and I continually complained about it.”
Work order request records from SCUSD show Rupert asked the district on two occasions over the course of two years to remove the carpet from her room. The district declined both requests but cleaned the carpet after the first one, in 2023.
“In the summer of 2024, Facilities had all the carpets cleaned by an outside carpet company. No issues came up during this process or after about the carpet [in Rupert’s room],” SCUSD spokesperson Brian Heap said. “We have 73 schools – each with dozens of classrooms. We’d love to replace carpet in all of them, but with limited resources we have to prioritize how those maintenance dollars are spent.”
Rupert added in her response, “I deeply regret this choice. I should not have unilaterally tried to remove the carpet, nor allowed students to assist in any way.”
As a result of her actions, the district reassigned Rupert to another school – Isador Cohen Elementary. Rupert objected.
“As the District is well aware, I have children attending [Phoebe Hearst], live nearby, and have been teaching there for 26 years without incident,” she said in her Sept. 11 response. “Transferring me against my wishes for this mistake has been very difficult for me, and I believe will also negatively impact the students at the school.”
Since Rupert’s removal, Phoebe Hearst parents, students and teachers have organized multiple protests, including at the school’s Jog-a-thon.
Rupert’s supporters have included her longtime colleague, sixth grade teacher Mark Henrikson. Earlier this month, SCUSD put him on administrative leave. Parents tell ABC10 they feel the move was retaliatory, which the district denies.
Last week, as part of their ongoing protest over the removal of – now – two beloved sixth grade teachers, parents served School Board President Jasjit Singh – who represents the area that includes Phoebe Hearst Elementary – with a notice of intent to recall him.
“You’ve absolutely failed to do the job for which you were elected,” Phoebe Hearst parent Caitlin Beckett said to Singh during public comment.
She told ABC10 on Wednesday, Rupert’s newly released disciplinary report doesn’t change anything for her and she still backs Rupert 100%. Parents say the teachers’ removals have been disruptive and disheartening for the students, emotionally and academically.
The day after the meeting, the Board of Education sent a letter to parents, scheduling a townhall for this Friday evening at the school – something parents had been requesting for in a letter signed by more than 300 of them.
“The SCUSD Board of Education does not vote on staff reassignments, administrative leave, or disciplinary investigations. These matters fall entirely within the scope of the SCUSD Human Resources department, are governed by strict legal and contractual processes, and are handled with deep confidentiality,” the Board of Education said in the letter. “Trustees are not permitted to access details of confidential personnel matters or intervene in their outcomes. Further, no individual trustee is empowered to speak or act independently on this matter, which is why President Singh has not addressed the school site.”
ABC10 reached out to Jeanine Rupert through her attorney Wednesday and did not immediately hear back.
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