POWAY, Calif. — The Poway Unified School District superintendent at the center of an investigation into harassment of high school teenagers is now on administrative leave.
In a letter to parents on Thursday obtained by CBS 8, the Poway Unified School District said the governing board retained an independent, outside law firm to conduct an investigation into Superintendent Marian Phelps' alleged bullying of Del Norte High School students and softball players.
“We have reached a sensitive point in the investigation and received information regarding the impact of this process,’ Poway Unified School District said in a letter to parents. “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.”
Phelps’ placement on administrative leave comes after allegations of bullying and intimidating students on the Del Norte High School softball team for not clapping loudly enough for her daughter, who’s also on the team, during the softball awards banquet in May 2023.
Kim is also accused of sending personal text messages to a softball player late at night, threatening the athlete.
Students said Phelps had wrongfully targeted them, even threatening their graduating privileges.
In January, Poway Unified School District Board President, Michelle O'Connor-Ratcliff said:
"The investigation is being conducted thoroughly and independently. The Board is confident that when it concludes, investigators will have examined all facts and evidence and interviewed all those having relevant, firsthand knowledge."
CBS 8 interviewed Phelps in November 2023 about the accusations, she claimed at the time that it had nothing to do with clapping and said she did nothing wrong.
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