The investigation into Del Norte High School’s softball program and allegations that the superintendent harassed its players has been completed after interviews with 41 witnesses and the review of a number of documents, Poway Unified trustees said.
The probe by Dannis Woliver Kelley was to include the conduct of district staff, students, administrators and Superintendent Marian Kim Phelps, who was placed on administrative leave in February, trustees have said.
Reporting out of closed session at the April 18 meeting, school board President Michelle O’Connor-Ratcliff said the law firm has concluded its investigation.
The independent investigation was launched Dec. 14 “in consideration of the concerns raised in the community and to ensure all students are safe and supported at school,” O’Connor-Ratcliff said, reading from a statement.
“The investigation took several months, with some of the key witnesses only making themselves available to be interviewed within the last few weeks,” she said.
The action was prompted by allegations from Poway Unified students, parents and staff that Phelps harassed members of the softball team following an end-of-season awards banquet in May 2023.
In late November 2023, a Poway Unified high school senior softball player sued the district and its leaders, accusing Phelps of pursuing a campaign of punishment and harassment against her and her teammates because she believed they didn’t clap loudly enough for her daughter at a banquet.
Phelps, who was put on paid administrative leave on Feb. 1, has denied the allegations and said her daughter, Jessica Phelps, a pitcher on the team, was being bullied by another Del Norte student leading up to and after the event.
“In an effort to avoid distraction and to ensure continued focus on the district’s business and 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, trustees announced that Poway Unified’s Associate Superintendent of Student Support Services Greg Mizel had been appointed as interim superintendent.
O’Connor-Ratcliff said at the April 18 meeting that the information gathered through the investigation will be considered by the board and appropriate next steps and action will be taken.
“Any decisions made by the board with respect to the superintendent will be in accordance with the applicable Employment Agreement between the board and the superintendent,” she said. “Because the investigation involves student and personnel issues, in accordance 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 was 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 signals which schools are the most committed and best equipped to meet the unique needs of military-connected students and their families, Education Department officials said.
“Military-connected students must move whenever their active-duty parent or guardian receives a relocation order,” states a San Diego County Office of Education news release. “These required relocations mean that a military-connected child can expect to change schools between six and nine times from kindergarten to the end of high school, which is three times more often than children without a military connection.”
Mizel also praised Poway Unified’s communications staff for their Excellence in Communication Awards from the California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA). Poway Unified received an Award of Excellence in the Social Media category for their “I am PUSD” campaign and an Award of Merit in the Multimedia/Visual category for their “Magic in Me” back-to-school music video.
The awards were presented at CalSPRA’s Annual Conference and Awards Banquet in Sacramento on March 1.
In addition, Poway Unified Communications Specialist Brittanie Arnett was given the 2024 Emerging Communicator of the Year” award. This award recognizes a school communication professional with one to four years of experience in California who has contributed to the profession and is expected to continue advancing it.
Poway Unified spokesperson Christine Paik said Arnett exemplifies what it means to be an emerging leader in school communications and has a remarkable track record that speaks to her excellence and dedication to the field.
“Her talents and enthusiasm for school public relations are unmatched, and I am so proud that she was selected for this honor,” Paik said.
Gallant writes for the U-T Community Press.
This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune .
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