California School Superintendent Fired for Not Stopping Boss’s Bullying

A school superintendent has been fired for failing to tackle bullying. Stephanie Anello, who worked with the Antioch Unified School District in California, saw her employment contract terminated without notice at the end of a year-long bullying scandal involving a fellow employee. Critics claimed that Anello and her husband, Antioch’s former police chief Allan Cantando, did not hold Maintenance Director Ken Turnage accountable for alleged bullying because they are close friends. 

Several school district employees complained about Turnage’s behavior, including Jim Kesser, who said Turnage moved his desk to the school’s roof after he refused to carry out duties for which he was not qualified. Kesser said he told Turnage he was not an electrician or mechanic, and so could perform some tasks instructed, and he “retaliated” by moving his desk to the roof and placing a sign saying “Kesser’s Office” on a ladder leading to it. 

When school district officials investigated the incident, they concluded it was a “prank” and not evidence of bullying. Purchasing Technician Kim Atkinson also filed a complaint about Turnage, but his concerns were likewise dismissed, and Turnage’s actions were described as a “prank.” 

Mr. Turnage subsequently filed a grievance against Atkinson and her husband, president of Chapter 85 of the California School Employees Association.

After Anello was fired, Board President Antonio Hernandez said the board had voted to terminate her contract and issue a payment amounting to nine months of her $353,000 annual salary. Turnage was placed on administrative leave in April. 

Reports indicate that three staff members who worked under Turnage’s leadership took medical leave from work due to the stress of dealing with his outbursts. Mr. Kesser also reported developing panic attacks. 

Formerly the chairman of Antioch’s planning commission, Ken Turnage was ousted in 2020 after he appeared to suggest that Covid presented an opportunity to weed out the weak. He advocated adopting a “herd mentality,” and wrote, “A herd gathers its ranks; it allows the sick, the old, the injured to meet its natural course in nature.” Regarding homeless people, he said the virus would help to “fix” a “significant burden.”