News Update

San Dieguito Union High School superintendent fired following controversial comment

Cheryl James-Ward, superintendent of the 13,000-student San Dieguito Union High School District in north San Diego County, was fired Sunday following controversial comments she made about Asian students, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

The district’s four-member board voted unanimously to terminate James-Ward’s contract effective Aug. 15, according to the Union-Tribune. James-Ward’s attorney told the Union-Tribune that she plans to sue the district since she believes board members made the decision out of retaliation for filing a harassment claim against trustee Michael Allman earlier in the year.

James-Ward has apologized for her comment, which was made at a board workshop in April on diversity, equity and inclusion. She said Asian students got better grades than other student groups because they are from wealthy families who recently emigrated from China.

The comment drew outrage from several Asian parents and community members who said it implied that all Asian students are Chinese and wealthy, according to the Union-Tribune.


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