TIMELINE: Former San Ysidro Superintendent Emails To Staff

Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013: San Ysidro school board places Paul on paid administrative leave.

Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013: San Ysidro Middle School Principal David Torres emails Paul the day after the superintendent was placed on paid administrative leave. Torres offers support to Paul.
 
Torres to Paul: “Thanks for being so strong last night. We all know things will work out in the end and all those naysayers will have to deal with their flawed judgment and uncalled for ‘plebe’ comments at a later time.”
 
Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013: Former San Ysidro Superintendent Manuel Paul emails his former administrative assistant and asks her to forward information on a class-action lawsuit to the district’s outside counsel. She writes back on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2013 the task is “done.”
 
Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013: Paul emails the personnel department to instruct them to allow a new hire to start work the next day.
 
Friday, Jan. 25, 2013: Paul emails San Ysidro trustee Antonio Martinez to discuss Liam Dillon’s article in Voice of San Diego about an incomplete sidewalk along Otay Mesa Road creating safety concerns for students.  

Monday, Jan. 28, 2013: Paul emails his administrative assistant to tell her he is attending a community planning meeting and will stop by his district office after the meeting.
 
Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013: Paul emails then-Human Resources Director Jason Romero instructing him to check with legal counsel if information on a San Ysidro Education Vanguard Foundation could be added to the district’s website.
 
Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013: Paul emails the district’s Finance Director Dena Whittington instructing her to “look into” a request for information by the San Diego County Taxpayer’s Association
 
Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013: Board President Jason Wells emails Paul, asking him to stop issuing directives to staff and refrain from visiting district offices. 
 
Wednesday, February 13, 2013: Paul emails Architect Paul Bunton to discuss a proposed redesign of Beyer Elementary school. 
 
"They totally redesigned the project. Beyer school will have a mission flavor, but totally different from your original design," Paul wrote.
 
In a South County corruption case, Bunton, 54, pleaded guilty in March 2012 to aiding in the commission of a misdemeanor because school officials did not list the meals and gifts he provided on state-mandated reporting forms.
 
Saturday, February 16, 2013: Paul emails Interim Superintendent Gloria Madera and then-Human Resources Director Jason Romero instructing them to have principals and department heads conduct training on child abuse reporting requirements.  
 
Tuesday, February 26, 2013: Paul emails Interim Superintendent Gloria Madera instructing her to ask the area principals if any students attended a field trip to Old Town.
 
Saturday, March 2, 2013: Paul emails outside legal counsel Dan Shinoff about a translated statement from Studio K printer shop in Tijuana. The store sent a statement, which appears to have been translated and forwarded along by private investigator Bob Price.
 
Studio K’s translated statement says:
 
“Manuel Paul first requested an estimated dated 8/19/2010 in the name of Gareth Maden for posters $1401.
 
Manuel Paul returned and added the extra posters for Jason Wells $2301 in the name of Hugo Alonso Inc. Manuel Paul said that the donation was anonymous but the anonymous person wanted the receipt in the name of Hugo Alonso Inc.”
 
Paul emails Shinoff to state the translation is fair but it leaves some information out.
 
Thursday, March 7, 2013: Paul writes to his former administrative assistant instructing her to send him agendas and minutes.
 
“Thank you, please keep sending me agendas and minutes as you have them ready,” Paul writes.
 
Friday, March 8, 2013: Paul writes to Director of Business Support Services Cesar Vega that he will be sending him a “letter of recommendation” soon.
 
“You always conducted yourself very honorably, and worked like a true team-player and that goes very high in my book,” Paul writes.
 
Vega wrote to Paul earlier that same day stating if Paul was not returning to the district, he did not want to work in San Ysidro either:  
 
“On the other hand, in the event that you decide not to comeback, personally, I feel that it would be time for me to move on as well. In fact, the reason I have stayed here in San Ysidro for six years now is because I believe in you and your leadership to guide us in the right direction,” Vega wrote.
 
Tuesday, March 12, 2013: Paul writes Director of Business Support Services Cesar Vega in Spanish.
 
“Te mande la carta con mi hija Alexandra. Ella trabaja en la Escuela Smythe en el salón #7. Si quieres pasa por allí y ella te la da. Si necesitas que la haga algún cambio me dices y con mucho gusto. Suerte!!,” Paul writes.
 
A rough translation is: “I sent the letter with my daughter Alexandra. She teaches at Smythe Elementary in Room 7. If you want to stop by there, she’ll give it to you. If you need any changes just tell me and I gladly will. Good luck!”
 
Wednesday, March 13, 2013: Paul emails San Ysidro Middle School Principal David Torres stating his disapproval of a recent budget decision.
 
“I am beyond being disappointed of Gloria,” Paul writes of Interim Superintendent Gloria Madera. “And to give these excuses for cutting Aps, pleeeease! (sic) I’ll have a letter for you in a few days. Send me some bullet points to include on the letter. Hang in there (for now.)
 
Monday, March 18, 2013: Paul hands in his letter of resignation.
 
Monday, April 1, 2013: Paul offers positive reinforcement for a video circulating about a turnaround student at San Ysidro Middle School. “Wow great work,” he writes. “Please congratulate the entire staff for their focus and accomplishments and kudos to Lorena and Veronica for sharing your story with the rest of the county.”
 
Thursday, April 4, 2013: Paul accepts an invitation to attend a June 20 breakfast event put on by the San Diego Army Advisory Council for area superintendents.  
 
Thursday, April 4, 2013: The San Ysidro School Board votes to accept Paul's resignation.
 
Monday, April 8, 2013: Paul emails his former administrative assistant to say he was sending $2 in with his daughter, who works at Smythe Elementary in the district. The money is to participate in the office lottery pool.
 
Wednesday, April 17, 2013: Paul emails district coordinator Kim Nisson to say he is very proud her and that she's doing a good job.
 
Friday, April 19, 2013: Paul emails more than 20 San Ysidro School District staff congratulating them on student math achievement.
 
Read the original emails here.
 
Contact Us