The San Diego Unified School District board named Fabiola Bagula, Ph.D., interim superintendent Tuesday, marking the first time that a Latina has taken the helm of California’s second-largest district.
Bagula brings state, county and community experience to the district. She previously served as adjunct faculty for San Jose State University, and as a senior director and executive leadership coach for the San Diego County Office of Education.
In her coaching role, Bagula worked with superintendents and their cabinets across California, helping them design teams for student success. Bagula, whose son attended a district school, has served as a teacher, principal, area superintendent, deputy superintendent, and most recently, acting superintendent.
She had served as acting superintendent since Aug. 30, when the board fired former Superintendent Lamont Jackson, citing the results of an independent investigation into accusations of inappropriate conduct toward two former district employees, both female. Their accounts were determined to be “credible,” board officials said.
Bagula called it “an honor” to take on the top job at a district “that I love so much,” and cited a deeply held principle of hers, accountability, that will be in play.
“At the core of who I am, and who I will be as interim superintendent, is accountability. There is too much at stake for our students and their families, and the communities we serve. Whether we are talking about student outcomes, our budget or the culture of our school community, we need to be accountable,” Bagula said.
As examples, she pointed to having data available “within three clicks” so that our educators and leaders can take action, or performing a financial audit “to ensure that we are maximizing and effectively spending taxpayer dollars.”
Board President Shana Hazan said the district will benefit from Bagula’s leadership and education experience.
“Dr. Bagula understands the vision and values of our community and is uniquely positioned to move the district forward as interim superintendent. She is a compassionate and outcome-oriented leader who brings the stability our students and staff need as we navigate this period of transition,” Hazan said.
A first-generation college graduate who was raised on both sides of the border by a single immigrant mother, Bagula is a graduate of UC San Diego and the University of San Diego, where she earned her Ph.D. in leadership studies.
Bagula has been instrumental in the design of several district initiatives, including an agreement with Cal State San Marcos that offers eligible graduates of every district high school guaranteed admission and professional development opportunities to support educators and school administrators. She also has guided district work on graduation, equity and the data.
In the coming weeks, she will visit schools throughout the district to engage with students, staff and families. Bagula also will work with the district’s Office of Investigations, Compliance, and Accountability to ensure that all students, staff and families have a safe and inclusive environment.
