Correction: Chula Vista Elementary Assistant Superintendent for HR Resigned

Last month, we published a story discussing Lizcett Porras, a principal of a troubled South Bay school. It was titled, “Principal at Troubled School Had Little Experience, Key Connections.”

Prior to publication, we sought comment from Jason Romero, Chula Vista Elementary School District’s former Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources. He did not respond. After the story was published, we received an email from Romero’s attorney complaining about several aspects of the story and providing additional information. Romero’s attorney sent further emails complaining about summaries of the story contained in our Morning Report and South County Report. Additionally, the district issued a statement.

In light of those communications, we are correcting and clarifying certain points.

First, we correct the statements that Romero was fired  from the district. He was not fired; he resigned. District trustees at their Dec. 17 school board meeting unanimously approved a resignation agreement with Romero that awarded him an undisclosed severance payment. The board did not specify the reason for Romero’s resignation.

Second, regarding the circumstances preceding Romero’s resignation, the investigation the district conducted in the autumn of 2025 in fact dealt with the after-hours use of a football field by a nonprofit youth flag football league in which Romero volunteers as a coach. The investigation did not relate to Porras, to hiring practices, or to financial, operational, or procedural issues in the district’s human resources department.

Third, we clarify that the story did not intend to imply that the district made findings of wrongdoing against Romero. The district made no finding that Romero engaged in any illegal, unethical, or improper conduct.

Fourth, the story stated that the district placed Romero on administrative leave following the release of an audit of the district’s human resources department that found numerous problems with the department’s hiring and record-keeping processes. That is correct, but we clarify that the story did not intend to imply that Romero’s leave was based on the audit. Rather, Romero was placed on leave to preserve the integrity of the investigation regarding the football field.

Fifth, the story stated that Porras was hired to be a principal even though she did not possess the minimum qualifications for the job. It also described Porras’s connection with Romero’s wife. And it described the multi-step interview process that Porras went through. This is all correct, but we clarify that the story did not intend to imply that Romero improperly influenced Porras’s selection. In his email following publication of the story, Romero’s attorney stated that Romero did not manipulate or interfere in the hiring process.

The story, the Morning Report, and the South County Report were updated in light of the above. We regret the errors and any lack of clarity.

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