SAN DIEGO — Accused of abusing her position, the Poway Unified School District superintendent spoke out on Wednesday. Superintendent Marian Kim Phelps said she did nothing wrong, but the parents CBS 8 spoke with disagree.
"Yes, I'm the Superintendent's daughter, but I'm also a student who deserves kindness. Please stop all this craziness, so that our senior year can be everything it should be," said Jessica Phelps, daughter of Superintendent Phelps.
Phelps is in the hot seat over an alleged incident that happened five months ago.
Del Norte High School softball teammates say Phelps threatened their graduation privileges since they did not clap loud enough for her daughter during the softball awards banquet.
"It had nothing to do with clapping or whether enough people had clapped," said Superintendent Phelps.
"I want the truth to be heard. I love my school. This is never about getting enough applause. This is about having to be bullied publicly humiliated," cried Jessica Phelps.
"I've never threatened any student. I never would. I never talked to any student about making threats about them not graduating. All those allegations are completely false and fabricated," said Superintendent Phelps.
In last week’s board meeting, parents said Superintendent Phelps also made inappropriate social media posts and contacted students late at night.
"She made life hell for 10 seniors threatening to bar them from graduation if they didn't admit something they didn't do," said one of the girls on the Del Norte High School softball team.
"I did not," said Superintendent Phelps.
Parents are urging the school board to take action against the Superintendent.
"There was an abuse of power. It was inappropriate. It's not okay," said parent Melinda Huntoon. "Just to point something out, a superintendent reaching out to a student is never okay. That is why she is in a place of leadership. She should know better. No one wants this for high school seniors; this is supposed to be their best year."
"I think of a number of students are impacted. A student was forced to sign an anti-bullying/anti-hazing contract and no other students were asked to sign that," said parent, Mike Roberts.
Parent Judy Simeroth started this petition with more than 600 signatures urging the President of the school board, Dr. Darshana Patel to immediately terminate the Superintendent.
"Dr. Patel, you are not qualified to be a leader. You are negligent in the protection of our children. Our children!" said Simeroth to the board.
After nearly a 2 and half hour closed session, the board decided they will have an independent investigation of the Del Norte softball program before any further steps are taken.
Superintendent Phelps sent this statement to PUSD staff:
Dear Team PUSD,
Some of you may be aware that during public comments at last week’s Board meeting, a small group of people made allegations that I had threatened students and abused my power following a softball banquet. I was extremely saddened and shocked by the accusations. The commenters made multiple statements that were false yet damaging as they were being spread online, and I appreciate the supportive messages from many of you. While I was not able to respond directly at last week’s board meeting due to public meeting restrictions, as the Superintendent of PUSD, I want you to assure you that the allegations are untrue and provide you with the facts directly:
- Never at any time have I made threats towards any student nor tried to prevent them from graduating.
- Never at any time did I fire a coach.
- Never at any time did I leverage my position as Superintendent to interfere with the school’s investigation nor did I ask the school to initiate one.
- An investigation into a student’s repeated behaviors against my daughter leading up to, including, and following the softball banquet was initiated by Del Norte High School.
- The school conducted a thorough investigation which included interviews with multiple students and witnesses, and appropriate measures were implemented by the school.
At today’s special board meeting, the Board released the following statement:
“The Poway Unified School District Board of Education is aware that some members of the public are making misinformed claims about student and employee conduct involving the Del Norte High School softball program. The Board has not ignored this matter but is bound by privacy laws that do not allow us to make public statements regarding specific student or employee matters. The Board has now met three times regarding this matter, and reviewed hundreds of pages of witness statements and supporting documents related to the Del Norte administration’s investigation of and issues related to the Del Norte softball program. The Board thoroughly considered the existing evidence on this matter and took action within the purview of our authority regarding employee conduct. Our priority in classrooms and in school extracurricular activities is to provide an environment where all students can have a positive experience. The challenges that have been revealed within the Del Norte softball program have led the Board to initiate a formal, independent investigation to ensure that all students feel safe and supported. “
I am grateful to the Board for their thorough review, keeping a clear focus on students, and responding to our students’ pleas to intervene. In my 32 years in education, I have always worked passionately to protect the safety and wellbeing of the children we serve. My leadership, actions, and decisions are guided by a high level of ethics and integrity, and I strive to follow the principles and guidelines that govern our work. As educators and adults, we are all held to a higher standard, which often makes us targets for political or other motivations. We must stay true to our vision and mission, as well as protecting and serving our 35,000 students.