Vallejo schools superintendent, spokesman on paid leave

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jun 16, 2009 | by Tony Burchyns

Vallejo school district Superintendent Mary Bull and district spokesman Jason Hodge remain on paid administrative leave pending the results of an investigation.

Neither Bull nor Hodge would comment after being placed on leave last week. Both have been prohibited from entering the district office during the investigation, Vallejo City Unified School District board President Cris Villanueva said.

Villanueva would not disclose the reason for the board's action, but a source familiar with the investigation said it centers on a pending, hostile-work-environment claim that Hodge filed in March against Bull.

Pending the outcome of the investigation by an outside firm, district assistant superintendent of human resources Reynaldo Santa Cruz will assume Bull's and Hodge's responsibilities.

The board voted 4 to 1 during a special closed session Tuesday night to place Bull and Hodge on leave. Board members did not reveal who dissented.

The personnel action is the latest sign of unrest at the troubled district.

Since Bull was hired in September 2007, for about $200,000 a year, she has been subject of at least four employee-mistreatment claims.

Vallejo remains under partial state control following its 2004 fiscal collapse that required the governor to approve a $60 million bailout.

Bull -- formerly Carmel Unified's curriculum director -- has been lauded as a strong-willed reformist in the academically struggling district. Some employees, including a number who have sued her, also have accused Bull of verbally abusing them.

Richard Damelio, Vallejo's state-appointed administrator who is overseeing the district's fiscal recovery, declined Friday to comment on the pending investigation.

Hodge, who makes about $100,000 per year, would only smile when asked about his relationship with Bull and declined to answer as to whether he had filed a claim against her.

Reach Shauntel Lowe at 707-553-6835 or slowe@thnewsnet.com and Tony Burchyns at 707-553-6831 or tburchyns@thnewsnet.com.