On Tuesday, Tucson Unified School District Governing Board member Michael Hicks cast the key vote to renew the employment contract of Pueblo High School Principal Augustine “Auggie” Romero. Romero’s renewal has been a source of controversy for nearly a year.
Tucson Unified School District parents, teachers, and other stakeholders were surprised that Superintendent Gabriel Trujillo had offered to renew the highly controversial principal’s contract.
Romero was under investigation in connection to a grade changing scandal at Pueblo involving student athletes. A teacher complained that Romero changed students’ grades without her consent. Only the teacher of record or the school board can change students’ grades under Arizona statute.
Last year, Romero submitted his resignation as principal. The TUSD Board voted to accept the resignation only to find out later, that Romero was claiming that he rescinded his resignation only moments before the Board’s vote. Romero claimed, according to sources, that the Board should not have accepted the resignation.
After the meeting, Board member Rachael Sedgwick stated, “I’m frustrated and disappointed at the Board’s willingness to maintain the status quo in TUSD, against the best interests of our students, educators, and staff members. I believe we can be number one, in every sense. I wish I was part of a majority who had the courage to improve TUSD.”
Last week, a group or current and former TUSD employees, known as the TUSD Whistleblowers, attacked Romero. They wrote, “Auggie’s niece was hired by him at Pueblo as a teacher: Betzi Castillo. His niece’s husband also teaches at Pueblo: Jesus Oruño. They, like many who he favors to keep in his loyal graces, are untouchable when it comes to holding them to the same standards as others who work at Pueblo. This duplicates the protection that Adelita demonstrates in ensuring that Auggie’s job is protected, regardless of all the shame he has brought to TUSD. Anyone who read Adelita’s most recent guest opinion in the Arizona Daily Star knows that Auggie Romero wrote the piece. Adelita is NO writer and everyone knows it! The two have the perfect quid pro quo relationship. It is all in the family for all of these corrupt people who exploit their power and positions while helping to build more corruption. This is all being done with tax-dollar funding. Betzi and Jesus are part of Auggie’s support base at Pueblo. He has chased away many of the strongest and best teachers and has replaced them with those who he is able to manipulate. These are the puppets who defend him every time he gets himself into hot water. As long as he is at Pueblo- their incompetence is protected.”
Trujillo’s decision to retain administrators from previous regimes disappointed stakeholders across the board. Among the most controversial choices is Sam Brown. Brown, who oversees the Unitary Status Plan, has been viewed as a divisive and less-than-candid figure by those involved in the District’s desegregation efforts. The renewal of Brown’s contract was seen as a betrayal and sign of bad faith on the part of Trujillo.
[View the list of contract renewal recipients here and here]