Brown’s exit marks the second time in three years she has left a school district while helping to process a large bond-funded construction schedule. In 2010, she resigned from a similar position at the San Ramon Valley Unified School District amid complaints of sexual harassment lodged by four male colleagues.
Brown received a $200,000 payout from the Northern California school district when she left after five years on the job, according to a lawsuit filed by one of the plaintiffs in July 2010.
As part of her departure from Glendale Unified, Brown will receive severance pay, but officials declined to disclose the amount.
Attempts to reach Brown were unsuccessful.
Samuelson strongly rebuffed questions about any possible wrongdoing in Glendale by Brown, saying there was “no unlawful conduct or any misappropriations or anything that would be illegal that is part of this resignation.”
Glendale Unified officials acknowledged they were aware of the allegations of misconduct when they hired Brown in June, but said that after being put through a comprehensive application and interview process, she emerged as a top candidate.
“We called all of our references and all of our people and vetted completely and felt comfortable recommending to the board that she be hired,” Samuelson said.
Board members weighed the allegations, but decided to hire Brown anyway, Wagner said.
“We always look to red flags, but the recommendation was to hire,” Wagner said. “She is someone with great experience, with a long record of knowledge of the industry, and that proved the case.”
