Redwood City School District Removes Teacher Amid Allegations of Past Misconduct

The Redwood City School District has replaced a middle school math teacher for the remainder of the academic year following an investigation by KQED and ProPublica that revealed the educator had faced allegations of inappropriate touching at two previous jobs. The case has sparked calls for reform in California’s teacher disciplinary process and raised concerns about school district hiring practices.

Investigation Unearths Pattern of Alleged Misconduct

Jason Agan, who taught math at Clifford School in Redwood City, was removed after the news outlets uncovered his history of misconduct allegations. According to the investigation, Agan was fired from Angelo Rodriguez High School in 2019 for “sexual harassment of female students,” with at least 11 students and one parent submitting written complaints. Students testified during his dismissal hearing that he made them uncomfortable through physical contact, such as massaging necks and shoulders, and commenting on their clothing. An independent panel deemed him “unfit to teach.”

Despite this, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) allowed Agan to retain his teaching credentials. The agency suspended his license for seven days in 2021 but did not disclose the reason for the sanction in its public database, which only notes that he remained “legally fit to teach.”

Systemic Gaps in Teacher Vetting Process

Agan’s second school, Ephraim Williams College Prep Middle School in Sacramento, received another complaint about unwanted touching in 2021. He left that position in June 2022 and joined Clifford School in Redwood City. The district’s hiring process, which typically involves contacting supervisors and checking the CTC database, failed to flag his disciplinary history, according to officials.

Deputy Superintendent Wendy Kelly acknowledged that the district did not request detailed disciplinary findings from the CTC before hiring Agan. State law limits the agency’s ability to share information unless a school specifically requests it within five years of a disciplinary action. In Agan’s case, the window for such a request expired earlier this year.

Parental Outcry and Calls for Reform

Over 170 parents signed a letter demanding Agan’s removal and urging the district to improve transparency. “Children deserve learning environments where they are safe, respected, and protected,” the letter stated. Brie Hanni, a parent whose daughter was in Agan’s class, called for the state to disclose reasons for teacher disciplinary actions, noting that similar transparency exists for other professions like medicine and law.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, who is running for governor, pledged to push legislation to automatically revoke licenses for educators found to have committed sexual harassment. “No student or family should ever feel unsafe at school,” he said in a statement.

Legal and Institutional Responses

Redwood City School District Superintendent John Baker has enlisted a third-party investigator to review hiring practices. The district’s board president, David Weekly, said the board would examine its vetting process following parent demands for a “third-party investigation.”

Clifford School Principal Kristy Jackson stated she had no concerns about Agan’s conduct but confirmed the district would soon assign a substitute teacher to his classes. Agan has not publicly addressed the allegations, and no criminal charges have been filed against him.

Broader Implications for Teacher Accountability

Agan is one of at least 67 educators in California who retained their licenses despite being deemed “unfit to teach” by school districts or independent panels, according to a review by KQED and ProPublica. The case highlights systemic challenges in balancing teacher rights with student safety, as the CTC’s limited disclosure rules make it difficult for schools to access full disciplinary records.

State Sen. Josh Becker, whose district includes Redwood City, called for legislative action, stating, “The legislature needs to dig into this.” Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has not commented on the case, and other gubernatorial candidates have also avoided public statements.

FAQ: Understanding the Teacher Misconduct Controversy

Why wasn’t Agan’s disciplinary history known to the Redwood City School District?

The district typically relies on the CTC’s public database, which does not detail reasons for disciplinary actions. The CTC only shares specific findings if a school requests them within five years of a sanction, which had expired in Agan’s case.

What changes could prevent similar incidents?

Advocates argue for mandatory disclosure of disciplinary reasons for teachers, similar to requirements for other professions. Some states, including Oregon and Florida, already require such transparency.

Can schools legally hire teachers with disciplinary records?

Yes, as long as their licenses remain valid. The CTC’s rules allow educators to retain credentials unless a court or panel explicitly revokes them.

The Redwood City case underscores the urgent need for reform in how California vettes educators and discloses misconduct. As parents and lawmakers demand accountability, the debate over balancing due process with student safety continues to shape the future of teacher licensing policies.