Sally Hadden has resigned as principal/superintendent of Loleta Elementary School in the midst of a federal investigation into racial discrimination at the school as well as conflicts with school staff.

Hadden submitted her resignation during her most recent annual performance evaluation, according to Loleta Elementary School Board member John Oswald. In an email to the Outpost, Oswald said he personally feels Hadden did a good job keeping the school on solid fiscal ground during the recession, but there were problems elsewhere.

“Over her four years with the school she became increasingly embattled with staff, making it difficult to manage the site,” Oswald said. “I believe she felt it was in the best interests of the school to move on.”

In January, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights launched an investigation into the K-8 school in response to a complaint filed by three agencies — the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, the National Center for Youth Law and California Indian Legal Services.

The complaint alleges that staff physically and verbally harasses Native American students based on their race and doesn’t respond adequately to complaints about bullying and abuse. It also alleges that staff disciplines Native American students more harshly than non-Native students and discriminates against Native American students with disabilities.

(Read this 2012 NCJ story for background on the district’s racial and cultural tensions.)

The county’s Office of Education is currently assisting the district in searching for Hadden’s replacement. It’s a job that’s been difficult to keep filled. While Hadden held the position for four years, her two predecessors lasted just one year apiece. 

Oswald said the school board added several performance goals to Hadden’s employment contract last year. “I don’t think I could say her resignation was a result of the [Office of Civil Rights] investigation,” Oswald said. “However, there is some overlap in issues they identified and [the new goals] in her contract.”

Oswald wanted it known that there are currently two openings on the school board, and applicants will be considered at the next board meeting, scheduled for June 30 at 6:30 p.m.

“It is a short time frame to get a letter in but interested parties can go to the meeting and declare their intentions during public comment,” Oswald wrote. A third position may be opening soon, he added, saying “I will consider all applicants.” Eligible applicants must be registered to vote in the 95551 area code.