Response from Chula Vista Elementary School District Re: Inexperienced Principal

Editor’s note: On Dec. 17 we published a story by reporter Jim Hinch about a principal in the Chula Vista Elementary School District, which also discussed the district’s Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Jason Romero. We have since updated the article to state that Romero resigned and the school board approved a resignation agreement with him. We will continue to look into their claims.

This is a statement from the district and Romero sent by Giovanna Castro, the director of communications at the district.

The Chula Vista Elementary School District and [Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Jason] Romero jointly wish to correct several inaccuracies contained in recent reporting. Mr. Romero was not terminated from his position, nor did he resign in lieu of termination. While the district conducted an internal investigation, it was a narrow inquiry unrelated to any of the speculation contained in the article. The review had nothing to do with Ms. Porras, with any financial or record-keeping issues in the Human Resources Department, or with any alleged pattern of intervening in hiring processes. Mr. Romero was placed on administrative leave solely to preserve the integrity of that limited review, not because of any concerns about hiring practices.

The district made no finding that Mr. Romero engaged in any illegal, unethical, or improper conduct, and Mr. Romero categorically denies any allegation of wrongdoing. The district also confirms that Ms. Porras participated in a comprehensive, multi-step interview process involving multiple panels, and the Board made its hiring decision only after she successfully completed at least three prior interviews.

We request that this statement be published by the Voice of San Diego (VOSD). Further, the VOSD should post its own follow-up statement acknowledging and apologizing for inaccuracies and misleading statements in the article. Both the district and Mr. Romero are committed to ensuring that public reporting reflects accurate, verified information rather than unfounded assertions.

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