SAN DIEGO — The former superintendent of San Diego City Schools is denying claims of sexual harassment filed against him.
It's the first time we've heard from Lamont Jackson since his termination on August 30, when San Diego Unified School District released a summary of its investigation. “The allegation of inappropriate conduct with two former employees as found to be credible,” board president Shana Hazan announced in August.
Jackson released a statement to CBS 8 Monday afternoon, saying in part, “I take considerable exception to the claims which have been made against me... the information, including claims made available to the media, is hardly an accurate reflection of my interactions with these former employees. I am emphatic that the characterization of me is completely inaccurate."
The school district started investigating sexual harassment allegations in April of this year.
But in July of 2023, a group of "concerned principals" mailed a letter complaining about Jackson to the Administrators Association of San Diego City Schools.
“It had my name and address on it, and then my name and address as the return address. And usually that's not good,” said Donis Coronel, the executive director of the Administrators union.
Coronel said she forwarded the letter to a high-ranking operations executive at the school district. “Although it was anonymous, it seemed serious enough that I felt someone at the school district in authority needed to know about it. So, I forwarded it to a cabinet level official,” she said.
The letter begins, “Dear Board Members of San Diego Unified School District.” But as it turned out, the school board never saw the letter until last week, some 14 months after it was mailed.
In a statement to CBS 8, the school district wrote:
“This week, board trustees were made aware of an anonymous letter that described concerns about Dr. Jackson. Initially, the letter had been sent to the Executive Director of the administrators’ union in 2023 who sent it to District staff. Upon review by the District at the time, it was determined that the allegations were expressly based on rumors and speculation from third party anonymous sources and so, were not investigated further at the time. However, these same allegations arose during the course of the District’s most recent investigation, this time with specific facts, and were forwarded to the independent, third-party legal firm retained by the District for investigation. An assumption was made that the letter had been shared with the Board. Only in 2024 after the independent, third-party investigation, which yielded the unsubstantiated result, was it discovered that the letter had not, in fact, been shared with the board in 2023. The allegations described in the letter were revisited in the course of the investigation into Dr. Jackson that was completed in August 2024.”
The following is the complete statement issued Monday afternoon by former superintendent, Lamont Jackson:
"Dear San Diego Unified students, families, educators, and broader community,
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your San Diego Unified School District Superintendent. It has been an honor and a privilege to stand with you and for you on the values of equity, belonging, and thriving. Together we managed to accomplish a great deal despite difficult circumstances. We safely returned from the pandemic, expanded universal transitional kindergarten, provided the widest range of expanded learning opportunities, launched a phenomenal middle school athletics program and increased enrollment, all while simultaneously decreasing chronic absenteeism.
We also ensured our educators could effectively raise their families in San Diego by securing the highest wage increase in SDUSD history. There were many more initiatives that we implemented in the spirit of students at the center of our concentric circle, which will have a direct impact on student achievement, wellness, and college and career preparedness. What I am most proud of, however, is how we did what we did, with transparency and integrity.
When I was hired, I informed the board that when the time came to hire a new superintendent, I would kindly and gracefully step away. I expressed this to the Board because the work was never about me. It was true then and it remains true today.
While I take considerable exception to the claims which have been made against me, it became clear that my continued service as a leader for the district would serve as an unnecessary and unwarranted distraction. As a result, I believed it would be in the best interests of our students, staff, families, and community for me to step aside. In the end, the community’s best interests have always been the focus of my decision making and those interests are all that should matter to those of us who have ever been fortunate enough to serve in leadership roles in education.
I do want to state, in the clearest possible terms, that the information, including claims made available to the media, is hardly an accurate reflection of my interactions with these former employees. I am emphatic that the characterization of me is completely inaccurate. People who know me best know that I would never behave in the manner alleged in these complaints.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to San Diego Unified School District Board trustees for their leadership and wish them and the entire district the greatest success. I have complete faith that my colleague, Dr. Fabiola Bagula will flourish as the Interim Superintendent and it has been a great pleasure to serve alongside her for the last 3 years. Of course, she will need everyone, collectively, to remain committed to the goals of the district. Only through the efforts of all members of our community can our children realize the opportunities and successes they deserve.
In closing, I remain humbled by the opportunity and experience to serve as your superintendent. I am beyond proud.
Thank you!
In the spirit of Ubuntu, I am because we are!
Sincerely,
Dr. Lamont A. Jackson"
WATCH RELATED: Sexual harassment claims released against former San Diego Unified superintendent