In an email to board members Wednesday, Antioch Unified School District Superintendent Stephanie Anello announced she is removing herself from overseeing the district’s investigative proceedings involving employee bullying claims as first reported by NBC Bay Area’s Investigative Unit.
The superintendent added that she has initiated two investigations into the allegations – one on the overall concerns and another on “specific complaints filed against an employee that arose out of a news story last week.”
Last Wednesday, the Investigative Unit broke the story of four current and former district employees saying Anello’s Director of Maintenance, Operations and Facilities Ken Turnage has bullied them for months. They said the bullying included putting one of their desks on a roof during district time and using school resources. They also believe Turnage has managed to get away with his bad behavior because of his close, personal friendship with Superintendent Anello and her husband, Allan Cantando, Antioch’s former police chief.
After repeated requests for comment by the Investigative Unit, Anello, Cantando and Turnage have not responded. AUSD Board President Antonio Hernandez has called for Anello's resignation.
Hernandez and another board trustee, Jaguanana Lathan, Ed.D., have questioned whether the investigations will truly be independent, given some of the complaints are against the district’s top official. NBC Bay Area has asked the district multiple times who will be conducting the investigations and have not heard back.
In a press release late Wednesday, AUSD’s Chief Human Resources Officer Robert Martinez said “Upon completion, the Board of Education will receive the results of the investigations and will address any issues that may arise with the utmost diligence and transparency.”
A special board meeting has also been called for 7pm Thursday, April 25 for board members to discuss possible disciplinary action against a public employee.
Catch up on NBC Bay Area’s reporting on Antioch Unified School District bullying complaints:
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