Following allegations that she ignored bullying complaints and after being placed on administrative leave since May , Antioch Unified School District Superintendent Stephanie Anello has been fired.
The AUSD Board of Trustees announced the unanimous decision at Wednesday’s regular board meeting after closed session.
“The board took action in closed session to terminate the superintendent’s employment agreement, effective immediately without cause pursuant to the terms of that employment agreement,” said Antonio Hernandez, AUSD board president, eliciting applause from those in the packed room.
Anello’s administrative leave and subsequent termination followed claims that the district’s leader had ignored employees’ complaints of bullying by Kenneth Turnage, AUSD director of maintenance, operations and facilities—who among other allegations was allegedly responsible for placing a coworker’s desk on the roof to humiliate him.
Prior to the board’s decision, Bob Carson, president of the Antioch Education Association teachers’ union, called for the board to promptly address the leadership issue and establish a clear path forward.