The San Diego Unified Board of Trustees is expected to vote next week to name interim Superintendent Fabiola Bagula to the role permanently.
Bagula became the interim superintendent after the district’s previous superintendent, Lamont Jackson, was fired by the board of trustees over allegations of sexual misconduct.
Bagula was Jackson’s deputy superintendent for two years. She was named in a legal claim filed against the district that accused Jackson of misconduct.
Bagula has previously told The San Diego Union-Tribune that the claim was rigorously investigated by a third party who found no mistreatment or hostile behavior.
“I understand that leadership must constantly be open to reflection and improvement, and that’s exactly what I have done — and will continue to do — as I reflect on this particular incident,” Bagula said.
At the time, board trustees said they had appointed Bagula as the acting superintendent because she had already been leading the district’s instructional work for the past two years. Trustees had said that having her lead would minimize disruption.
Even at the time, board had suggested to the Union-Tribune that they were interested in having her lead the district, rather than launching a search.
“Speaking personally, I do not at this time a search,” long-time board member Richard Barrera told the Union-Tribune. “I giving (Bagula) the opportunity to lead the district for the foreseeable future.”
Bagula had had a long history with the district before she was appointed to the interim position.
According to her LinkedIn, she was principal of Balboa Elementary School for seven years, then in 2014 became an area superintendent with the district for three years.
She then from 2020 to 2022 led the San Diego County Office of Education’s equity department.
The board has favored current employees for their superintendent choices in recent years.
The vote to approve her is expected to take place Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at Eugene Brucker Education Center.
The appointment is the only item on the special called meeting agenda.
