Restraining Order Bans Santa Clara Unified School Trustee from Sunnyvale Campus

A Santa Clara Unified School Board member has been served a temporary restraining order after being accused of threatening a Sunnyvale middle school principal.

The restraining order calls for trustee Chris Stampolis to stay from his son's school, Peterson Middle School in Sunnyvale. The school's principal, Susan Harris, called police and reported feeling threatened by the board member more than once.

Parents in response attended Wednesday night's board meeting and called for Stampolis to step down.

"I don't think he's representing the best interest of all students in our community," parent Leslie Kloes said. "And if he can't change his ways I'd like to see him step down."

People familiar with the case said Stampolis threatened Harris after she reminded him of campus security procedures he must follow for pick-up times.

Images from the school's security camera shows Stampolis appearing to make a motion to simulate shooting a gun on campus.

Kloes, who has a student at Peterson Middle School, said the accusations are alarming.

"We're supposed to be about teaching and learning and keeping kids safe," she said. "Not dealing with a board member not following rules. If anything, they should be held to a higher standard."

Stampolis denied the claims of threatening Harris and points to report from an investigator that concludes he treats everyone fairly.

"Absolutely not," Stampolis said when asked if harassed Harris. "If you look at her allegations, all of the photos that she submitted don't have her in them. They've only got me."

The restraining order is not the first time Stampolis has been at the center of controversy. In 2003, a student who spoke negatively about the district at a meeting later accused the board member of harassment.

Parents later urged Stampolis to step down -- a call parents repeated Wednesday night.

A district spokesperson said they are waiting for the legal process to wrap up before discussing any action.

EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the school district.

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