The San Diego Unified School District and its former superintendent are now facing lawsuits from two former district employees.
Tavga Bustani’s complaint says former Superintendent Lamont Jackson expressed interest in a sexual relationship with her, created excuses to meet with her privately and visited her home uninvited.
A complaint from another former employee, Monika Hazel, says Jackson "subjected her to sexually harassing conduct," including touching her without her consent, asking her for sex and "offering opportunities contingent upon plaintiff's compliance with his sexual advances."
Both women held leadership roles in the district when they were demoted to teaching positions, significantly reducing their salaries, according to the complaints. Bustani was the Chief of Leadership and Learning, and Hazel was an area superintendent. Hazel's lawsuit says she was demoted a month after refusing an advance from Jackson in late 2022.
The demotions gave them "no choice but to seek alternative employment," both lawsuits said. They say the women continue to "suffer emotional distress, humiliation, mental anguish and embarrassment."
Hazel now works as superintendent of the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District. Bustani is an assistant superintendent in the same district.
The school board fired Jackson in August after an independent investigation found their sexual harassment allegations were credible. It found insufficient evidence that employees were terminated for refusing his advances or promoted because of sexual relationships with him.
Hazel's complaint also alleges she faced "hostile and discriminatory behavior" from Fabiola Bagula, then the district's deputy superintendent and currently SDUSD's acting superintendent following Jackson's termination. Bagula allegedly reprimanded Hazel in front of co-workers and told Hazel to "'cower,' 'bow (her) head,' and use a 'baby girl voice' when raising concerns, which plaintiff found unprofessional and humiliating."
A San Diego Unified School District spokesperson said the district had not yet been served.
"Our Counsel needs to review the lawsuit, and upon that review will take the appropriate actions required to protect the District’s best interest,” the spokesperson said.
