Last April, Randy Burgess was placed on paid administrative leave by Coronado Unified School District (CUSD) due to an alleged sexual assault in 2011 from a student in the district. Burgess proclaimed his innocence from the start and petitioned for reinstatement last month. During the October CUSD Board Meeting, many spoke out to support Burgess and demand that his suspension be ended immediately.
Today, The Coronado Times learned that Burgess will be reinstated as a CHS Teacher and return to the classroom on November 27, 2017.
Matthew Herron, attorney for Randy Burgess, declared, “This suspension should have never happened and the pretext that the District was conducting an investigation to safeguard student safety was always untrue. All the District did was wait out the filing of a case which it knew would have had no merit without the slightest regard for Mr. Burgess, his reputation or the best interests of the students. The District succeeded in court so far only because it was untruthful with the court and the community. The public statements about the District’s investigation and concern for student safety were fabrications which are unworthy of the elected officials and the people they hire to run the school district. ”
The Coronado Times did contact CUSD for a comment and Kami McElligott (Executive Assistant to the Superintendent/Board) replied: “All personnel-related inquiries regarding Coronado Unified School District staff are confidential; as such, we have no comment.”
Today, via email, CHS Principal Jenny Moore sent this to Fitness for Life PE students and their parents:
“We opened this school year with our 9th grade PE/Fitness for Life teacher Randy Burgess on leave and Mr. Kevin Donahue serving as temporary teacher in his place. Mr. Burgess will return to CHS and his role as 9th grade Fitness for Life teacher on Monday, November 27th. Mr. Burgess and Mr. Donahue will work together initially, overlapping, to ensure a smooth transition for students with curriculum, grades, and records. We extend gratitude for Mr. Donahue’s service to CHS and our students, and welcome Mr. Burgess back to our CHS team. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving,Jenny Moore, CHS Principal.”
