Former Dehesa Principal Files Whistleblower Retaliation Lawsuit Against School District
Lawsuit Filed in San Diego Superior Court
EL CAJON, Calif. — A former principal in the Dehesa School District has filed a whistleblower retaliation lawsuit alleging she was fired after reporting what she believed were violations of California law.
The lawsuit was filed in San Diego Superior Court on behalf of former Dehesa School Principal Natoshia Bartley. Bartley alleges she was terminated after raising concerns about safety practices, regulatory compliance and attendance reporting within the district.
Bartley began working for the district in August 2024 as an assistant principal and was later promoted to principal, according to the complaint.
Concerns Raised About School Compliance
After moving into the leadership role, Bartley said she began identifying issues involving school operations and compliance with state requirements.
The lawsuit alleges the problems included missing safety protocols, incomplete documentation in the school’s health office and other failures to comply with California education regulations.
Bartley reported the issues to district leadership, the complaint states, saying the concerns involved both student safety and regulatory compliance.
Attendance Reporting Allegations
The complaint also centers on allegations involving student attendance reporting tied to state funding.
California public schools receive funding in part through Average Daily Attendance, or ADA. Districts report student attendance data that helps determine how much funding they receive from the state.
According to the lawsuit, Bartley reported what she believed were inaccurate or fraudulent attendance records. The complaint alleges the reporting practices may have resulted in approximately $950,000 in improper state funding.
Bartley also participated in an investigation into attendance discrepancies and cooperated with inquiries related to the district’s reporting practices, the lawsuit states.
Retaliation Claim
Bartley’s attorneys allege the district began to marginalize her after she raised the concerns and participated in the investigation.
According to the complaint, Bartley was later placed on administrative leave and eventually terminated from her position.
The lawsuit claims those actions violated California Labor Code §1102.5, which protects employees who report suspected violations of law or refuse to participate in unlawful conduct.
Press Conference and Response
Civil rights and trial attorney John H. Gomez announced the lawsuit during a press conference outside the Dehesa School District headquarters in El Cajon.
“Whistleblowers will be protected and those who retaliate against them will be held accountable,” Gomez said during the event.
Bartley also spoke publicly, saying she believed her responsibilities as principal required her to report the issues she discovered.
Supporters, including former students and community members, attended the press conference and spoke about the need for transparency and accountability in public schools.
The lawsuit seeks damages and a jury trial. The Dehesa School District had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of the press conference.