Poway Unified investigation into Del Norte softball, allegations against superintendent is complete

The investigation into the Del Norte High School softball program and allegations that the superintendent harassed its players was completed after interviews with 41 witnesses and review of a number of documents, Poway administrators said Unified.

The investigation led by Dannis Woliver Kelley was expected to include the conduct of district staff, students, administrators and Superintendent Marian Kim Phelps, who was placed on administrative leave in February, administrators said.

Reporting behind closed doors at the April 18 meeting, school board President Michelle O’Connor-Ratcliff said the law firm had concluded its investigation.

The independent investigation was launched on Dec. 14 “taking into account concerns raised in the community and to ensure that all students are safe and supported at school,” O’Connor-Ratcliff said, reading from a statement.

“The investigation lasted several months, and some of the key witnesses only made themselves available for questioning in recent weeks,” she said.

The action was prompted by allegations from Poway Unified students, parents and staff that Phelps harassed members of the softball team after an end-of-season awards banquet in May 2023.

In late November 2023, a Poway Unified high school softball player sued the district and its leaders, accusing Phelps of waging a campaign of punishment and harassment against her and her teammates because she believed they did not cheer enough loudly for his daughter during a match. banquet.

Phelps, who was placed on paid administrative leave Feb. 1, denied the allegations and said her daughter, Jessica Phelps, a pitcher on the team, was bullied by another Del Norte student before and after the event.

“In an effort to avoid distractions and ensure continued focus on district business and its commitment to serving our students and community, the board is placing the superintendent on paid administrative leave, effective immediately,” a board statement said at the time. .

A week later, administrators announced that Poway Unified’s associate superintendent of student support services, Greg Mizel, had been named interim superintendent.

O’Connor-Ratcliff said at the April 18 meeting that information gathered during the investigation will be reviewed by the board and appropriate next steps and actions will be taken.

“Any decision made by the board regarding the superintendent will be consistent with the applicable employment agreement between the board and the superintendent,” she said. “As the investigation involves student and staff issues, consistent with state and federal law, no additional details will be provided at this time.”

Also at the meeting, Mizel announced that Bernardo Heights Middle School in Rancho Bernardo had been named a “Purple Star School” by the California Department of Education for its support of military families in the community. Bernardo Heights was one of 44 California schools to receive the distinction, announced by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond on April 17.

The California Purple Star Schools program indicates which schools are most committed and best equipped to meet the unique needs of military-connected students and their families, Department of Education officials said.

“Military-connected students must relocate whenever their active duty parent or guardian receives a relocation order,” a press release from the San Diego County Office of Education states. “These mandatory moves mean that a child with a military connection can expect to change schools six to nine times between kindergarten and the end of high school, three times as often as children without a military connection. »

Mizel also congratulated Poway Unified’s communications staff for their Communications Excellence Awards from the California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA). Poway Unified received an Award of Excellence in the Social Media category for its “I am PUSD” campaign and an Award of Merit in the Multimedia/Visual category for its “Magic in Me” back-to-school music video.

The awards were presented at the CalSPRA Annual Conference and Awards Banquet in Sacramento on March 1.

Additionally, Poway Unified Communications Specialist Brittanie Arnett received the 2024 Emerging Communicator of the Year Award. This award recognizes a school communications professional with one to four years of experience in California who has contributed to the profession and should continue to advance it.

Poway Unified spokesperson Christine Paik said Arnett exemplifies what it means to be an emerging leader in school communications and has a remarkable background that speaks to her excellence and dedication to the field.

“Her talents and enthusiasm for school public relations are unmatched and I am very proud that she was selected for this honor,” Paik said.

Gallant writes for UT Community Press.