San Diego Unified trustees explain decision to fire superintendent

A week after the San Diego Unified School Board fired former Superintendent Lamont Jackson for misconduct with female employees, board members are speaking candidly about their decision, what led to the decision and what they hope for the school district's future.

Jackson was officially appointed superintendent just two and a half years ago, when the board selected him based on his years of service to the district and his personable personality and ability to build community with others.

The board fired him last week in a unanimous, closed vote after an investigation by an outside attorney commissioned by the board concluded that it was “more likely than not” that he was guilty of unwanted sexual conduct toward two female district employees.

“It was all very surprising and ultimately very disappointing,” said board member Richard Barrera about the investigation’s findings.

The two employees had claimed that Jackson had made unwanted sexual advances toward them. After they rejected his advances, they were fired, according to the investigation.

The women claimed they were fired in revenge for turning away Jackson, who is married and has two teenage sons. But the outside attorney leading the investigation, Maria Guadalupe Valencia of the law firm Sanchez & Amador, said she did not find enough evidence to claim they were fired for turning him away.

The investigation also brought to light other allegations that Jackson promoted women with whom he had sex. Valencia wrote that she did not find enough evidence to claim that certain identified women were promoted because Jackson had sex with them.

The committee refrained from releasing Valencia's full investigation report, instead releasing only a one-page summary of the investigation because the district could face litigation and the information in the report could potentially be relevant, Barrera said.

The board learned of the allegations made by two female employees because the information came to light during a lunch meeting between a board member and one of the women in early April, the investigation summary said. Neither woman had previously filed a complaint with the district.

The board member then notified the district's general counsel, who reached out to the woman. The woman then identified the second employee who had a similar experience. The board later hired Sanchez & Amador to investigate her claims in April, and the investigation was completed on August 22.

These allegations were not the first the board heard against Jackson. In 2021, when the board appointed him interim superintendent to succeed Cindy Martens, the district received some anonymous complaints about misconduct by Jackson, Barrera said. The district's human resources department investigated those allegations but found them unfounded, Barrera said.

The members of the board of trustees said they were confident that they had fulfilled their responsibilities throughout the investigation process.

“We immediately sought external legal advice. We did everything we could,” said board member Sabrina Bazzo. “When the allegations turned out to be credible or substantiated, we took immediate action.”

Bazzo and trustee Cody Petterson said the board needs to investigate what institutional deficiencies may have contributed to the situation surrounding Jackson.

“We need to be really transparent and honest and say, yes, there have been some deficiencies, but going forward the board will be much more focused on this and make sure that situations like this don't happen again in the future,” Bazzo said.

On Friday, the board unanimously voted to appoint Fabiola Bagula, the district’s deputy superintendent, as acting superintendent.

On Tuesday, board members are expected to discuss next steps – possibly including whether and how they will look for a permanent successor.

Fired without reason

The board terminated Jackson's contract “without cause,” meaning he will receive half a year's salary as severance pay. Jackson was paid $433,175 annually, not including retirement and health benefits.

Board members declined to comment on why they fired Jackson without cause.

“The board had to weigh a number of factors and all things considered,” Petterson said. “We believe this decision is in the best interest of the district, its students, families and staff.”

Jackson's contract would have allowed the board to fire him for cause, such as for actions deemed “moral turpitude” under state or federal law and embarrassing to the district.

Because he was fired without cause, Jackson agreed, in exchange for severance pay, to waive any claims he may have had against the district related to the terms of his contract.

The settlement angered some parents and community members who said it appeared as if the board was rewarding Jackson for his behavior.

“I think parents like me are just fed up,” said Bernard Mauricia, a Gage Elementary parent who sits on two school and district boards. “We're talking about a system that says these kids are supposed to have these value systems that we're supposed to uphold, and the adults aren't upholding them.”

Crystal Trull, a member of San Diego Unified's District Advisory Council who is challenging Bazzo for her school board seat, said she was sad for the women who made the allegations and angry at Jackson, with whom she had spoken regularly as a committee member. Trull also served on the school board search committee that ultimately helped select him two years ago.

“It makes me question the accountability of the board knowing that these things are happening under their watch,” Trull said of the news about Jackson. “It makes me question the board's ability to meet its legal responsibilities and fulfill its oversight obligations.”

Who is Fabiola Bagula, deputy director?

School board members said they chose Bagula as acting principal because they have “full confidence” in her, as she has already led the district's instructional work for two years. They said keeping her at the helm would help minimize disruption and instability in the district.

Some trustees have indicated they are not prepared to launch a comprehensive search for a superintendent.

Barrera said he could imagine Bagula leading the district.

“Personally, I do not support a search at this time,” he said. “I support giving (Bagula) the opportunity to lead the district for the foreseeable future.”

Board Chair Shana Hazan expressed similar thoughts about Bagula.

“Instead of focusing on, 'We need an outsider and we need to do a national search,' I'm guided throughout the process by the question, 'What do our kids need to be successful?'” she said. “And right now, I have complete confidence in the fact that Dr. Bagula brings the leadership skills needed to do those things.”

Like the board's recent candidates for superintendent, Bagula, a San Diego native, has a long history with the district.

According to her LinkedIn profile, she served as principal of Balboa Elementary from 2007 to 2014 before being promoted and working alongside Jackson as district superintendent until 2017. She left the school to work at the San Diego County Office of Education until she returned in 2022, shortly after Jackson became district superintendent.

Since then, Bagula has led the educational side of the district's operations, board members said, and was responsible for much of the district's goal-setting work, among other things.

If Bagula were appointed superintendent, it would be in line with previous decisions of the board, which tends to favor insiders for this role.

Some community members said they believe Bagula should not be selected without a comprehensive, nationwide search.

“I would be concerned about what message it sends to us as families and to everyone in the district … if she was promoted without some form of assurance that she is the right person,” Trull said.

Petterson noted that the district faces major challenges in the coming months, including a looming budget deficit recently estimated to total $176 million.

“That's part of the challenge Fabi has to face: how to get the ship in shape – culturally, financially, organizationally – to ensure that it can meet these challenges in the best possible way,” he said.