Chula Vista teachers union leader offered senior district job amid favoritism claims

The Chula Vista Elementary School District has offered the position of community schools program director to the president of its teachers union, according to Voice of San Diego. This role involves overseeing academic and social support programs for high-needs students across 13 district schools and comes with a salary of up to $176,781.

The job offer follows a recent election cycle in which the teachers union spent tens of thousands of dollars supporting three school board candidates who aligned with the union’s priorities. Two of those candidates won, and the school board now has the final say on whether to approve the union leader’s hire, Voice of San Diego reported.

Some current and former district employees, including the former community schools director, have criticized the timing of the job offer, calling it politically motivated favoritism. Joshua Kohler, the former director, said the move appeared self-serving rather than focused on community interests.

Union president Rosi Martinez defended her qualifications and rejected the allegations, calling them racially motivated. She welcomed legitimate criticism but said she would not engage in personal attacks, emphasizing her leadership record and commitment to the community.

The school board could vote on Martinez’s hiring as soon as next week, according to the report. The situation follows an FBI raid last week involving a San Diego County union official and a former political consultant, though no direct connection to this case was stated.