The superintendent of the Escondido Union School District has filed a temporary restraining order against a school board member for alleged violent threats against administrators in a case that has left some parents feeling uneasy.
According to the complaint, school board vice president Jose Fragozo will have to fulfill his duties off school property for now, staying at least 100 yards away from Superintendent Luis Ibarra.
Fragozo is accused of allegedly bullying and making intimidating statements toward Ibarra and other administration in the district.
Some parents, including Ramon Pedraza, say the dispute between the adults is disconcerting.
“If they can't agree amongst themselves how am I going to trust them to properly educate my family?” Pedraza told NBC 7.
“It's surprising and it shows there is a big conflict of interest among the staff here,” he added.
Parent Kim Whitfield agrees.
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“I don't think they should be acting this way they are acting like the kids," she said.
In an email, Ibarra notified district parents about the restraining order on Friday. His note did not go into detail over what led to the filing of the restraining order against Fragozo.
In a phone call with NBC 7, Ibarra said the complaint “is not about an argument,” but rather “about safety and security.”
In part of a statement released by Fragozo, the board vice president wrote: “Administrators should be encouraging robust discussion at the school board level, not repressing it.”
Fragozo calls the restraining order a power play.
“District Administrators are desperately attacking me because I have been demanding accountability,” he added in his statement.
At a time when school districts nationwide report threats daily, however, some Escondido parents can understand why it may be best to err on the side of caution.
“Maybe a restraining order should come in play when it comes in threats because with schools nowadays you never know what the outcome is going to be,” said Whitfield.
The temporary restraining order will remain in effect until the week before Christmas. Then, a Superior Court Judge will decide whether to make it permanent. No further details were immediately released.
