POWAY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The Poway Unified school board voted unanimously Tuesday to fire the district’s superintendent following a months-long investigation.
Marian Kim Phelps’ character was criticized at a board meeting in November. At that time, students and parents raised harassment allegations against the superintendent following a softball banquet at Del Norte High School in May. Also in November, a softball player filed a lawsuit accusing Phelps of bullying her and her teammates because they didn’t cheer loudly enough for her daughter, also a softball player, during the banquet.
Phelps denied the allegations, which included calls and text messages to students.
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In February, the board placed Phelps on administrative leave.
After the board heard public comments Tuesday, trustees met behind closed doors for nearly three hours. During a closed session, FOX 5/KUSI learned from the board that the independent investigation that began in November and concluded earlier this month uncovered “evidence up to ‘then unknown’ from witnesses with direct knowledge that contradicted Phelps’ statement to the board, district staff and the public.
The board said that because of Phelps’ conduct, they lost confidence in her to continue serving as superintendent and working collaboratively with them.
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Parents say the wait for Phelps to be fired was long and painful.
“I’m glad this decision was finally made, but for months and months of families who have had to endure mental struggles with this whole situation, that’s the unfortunate part of it,” said mother Rachelle Babler at FOX 5/KUSI on Tuesday.
The board says interim superintendent Greg Mizel will continue in his role during the transition period.
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