A California school superintendent who allegedly bullied members of a girl’s high school softball team when they didn’t applaud loud enough for her daughter during a ceremony last year was placed on leave Thursday.
The Poway Unified School District placed superintendent, Dr. Marian Kim Phelps, on paid administrative leave, effective immediately following a months-long investigation into the harassment allegations stemming from the incident.
Phelps and her daughter “J.P.” became “disgruntled” when the varsity softball player, who was named the team’s most valuable player, didn’t receive loud enough applause compared to other players at a team banquet last May.
Following the banquet “J.P.” accused seniors on the team of feeling “jealousy” and “hate” towards her,” according to a lawsuit first obtained by NBC San Diego.
The 93-page suit was filed on Nov. 27, by “Jane Doe,” an unnamed Del Norte softball pitcher, and her father against the school district, Phelps and other school district employees claiming violation of their freedom of speech, along with emotional distress, harassment and more.
Phelps is accused of beginning her “investigation” the night of the banquet by texting and calling a senior varsity member, who was a minor at the time, without permission, with the intent to interrogate her.
The superintendent later allegedly threatened all the senior student-athletes that they’d face not participating in graduation if they didn’t admit to not clapping.
“[Phelps] made threats aimed at the entire senior softball group that either they admit that they orchestrated a conspiracy to not clap for J.P. at the softball banquet or that [she] would ensure that none of the senior softball players would be allowed to walk at graduation.
The school district launched an independent investigation into the allegations on Nov. 15.
“We have reached a sensitive point in the investigation and received information regarding the impact of this process,” read a statement from the school district. “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.
The superintendent had allegedly “constructed a narrative falsely suggesting” the player had bullied her daughter as the two varsity softball students were both competing for the pitcher position on the varsity team.
“We are informed and believe that [Phelps’] aggressive behavior is rooted in what she unilaterally perceives to be an intense rivalry between her daughter, J.P., and one of the team’s other pitchers, the lawsuit read.
Phelps allegedly “instituted, controlled, and orchestrated an illegitimate and biased internal “investigation” that resulted in Plaintiff being barred from all extracurricular activities for a significant portion of the 2023-2024 academic year,” the lawsuit first obtained by NBC San Diego read.
“The behaviors exhibited encompass gaslighting, retaliation, harassment, threats, bullying, and intimidation, all aimed at inflicting emotional distress on Plaintiff, and stifling her freedom of speech and expression.”
While the parents were happy for the school district’s decision, they questioned why the decision was made in February, and not last year.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction, but I have questions as to why now because the board has had evidence for months,” Del Norte High parent Rachell Babler told the outlet.
“I think the district needs to revisit what happened here and how they come across as transparent,” another parent Ted Buchen said.
The school district said results of the investigation are still pending and is unable to provide further comments.
Poway is located approximately 25 miles northeast of San Diego.