The San Diego Unified School District has made the decision to fire Superintendent Lamont Jackson following an investigation that confirmed allegations of misconduct involving female staff members. The investigation found that Jackson had engaged in unwelcome, sex-based behavior towards two former employees, with other allegations not having enough evidence to be substantiated. The women who made the allegations also claimed that they were terminated in retaliation for rebuffing Jackson’s advances.
The board and Superintendent Jackson mutually agreed that separation was in the district’s best interest, with Board President Shana Hazan thanking Jackson for his leadership. Jackson was appointed as interim superintendent in 2022 before being hired as superintendent in March of the same year. Despite terminating his contract without cause, the district is still responsible for paying Jackson’s monthly salary and providing him health benefits for the next six months.
Deputy Superintendent Fabiola Bagula has been appointed as interim superintendent, bringing a decade of experience at the district and serving in various leadership roles. The board expressed confidence in Bagula’s ability to provide stability and consistency during this transition period. There has been no clarification on whether the district will launch a search for Jackson’s replacement.
The decision to terminate Jackson’s contract comes after months of investigation and substantiated allegations, marking a significant shift in leadership for the San Diego Unified School District.
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Photo credit voiceofsandiego.org
