San Diego Unified fires superintendent after investigation substantiates misconduct allegations
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Lamont Jackson, former San Diego Unified School District superintendent. Photo: San Diego Unified
San Diego Unified School District fired superintendent Lamont Jackson on Friday after a district investigation substantiated allegations by two former employees of sexual misconduct by Jackson.
Why it matters: Since 2022, Jackson has led the state's second-largest school district, which has a budget of nearly $2 billion and is home to more than 100,000 students and 15,000 employees across 170 schools.
Driving the news: Investigator Maria Guadalupe Valencia with the law firm Sanchez & Amador determined it is "more likely than not that (Jackson) engaged in unwelcome, sex-based behavior consistent with a romantic interest in each of the two complainants," an executive summary of the investigation states.
- The investigation found insufficient evidence that the complainants' firings were because they refused Jackson's advances.
Zoom in: Valencia's investigation found other allegations against Jackson, including that he promoted women with whom he had sexual relations and that he engaged in other "offensive and sexually charged behavior."
- The investigation found insufficient evidence that promotions of specific women were based on having sex with Jackson.
State of play: San Diego Unified's board unanimously voted to terminate Jackson without cause, per the terms of his contract.
- He will receive a six-month severance package, district spokeswoman Maureen Magee said.
What they're saying: Shana Hazan, president of the school district's board of education, read a prepared statement after Jackson's firing and did not take press questions.
- "Based on the finding, the board of education and the superintendent have mutually agreed that separation is in the best interest of the district," she said.
- Jackson was not available for comment.
What's next: Deputy superintendent Fabiola Bagula will step in as acting superintendent, Hazan said.
Flashback: The district launched the investigation in May but did not disclose any details of its nature, and Jackson was not placed on administrative leave.
- An unrelated investigation by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights released this summer concluded the district failed to protect students from sexual harassment and sexual abuse that led to "serial perpetration."