PUSD Superintendent issues statement on QHS administrator named in CSU investigation
By Debra Moore
Plumas Unified School District Superintendent Bill Roderick announced this evening that Quincy High School Athletic Director/Vice Principal Jason Hawkins has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into his conduct during his tenure at the high school.
This announcement followed a day of public speculation stemming from an article that was published today on EdSource.
The article written by staff at the independent nonprofit organization dedicated to providing analysis on key education issues, focused on the former San Jose State baseball coach, who is now employed at Quincy High. The article has been shared widely on social media and can be read through the link below:
Hawkins’ case came to light when EdSource filed a broad Public Records Act request spanning five years seeking findings of sexual and racial harassment and violations of the federal anti-discrimination law known as Title IX.
According to the article, a complainant accused Hawkins of making sexual and racial statements during his time at San Jose State. A Title IX investigation, that involved interviews with the complainant, as well as at least 30 witnesses and Hawkins, concluded that he had violated California State University’s anti-discrimination policies based on Title IX. Hawkins resigned from San Jose State in 2018 before any disciplinary action was taken.
Plumas News secured a copy of the amended investigation report that was published in 2018. The complainant and witnesses’ names were redacted. According to the complaint, the allegations included inappropriate comments and jokes of a sexual nature in team meetings and activities; inappropriate racial comments and inappropriate name calling and disrespectful behaviors directed toward staff and student athletes.
Hawkins has been employed by Plumas Unified School District since 2019. He has also acted as a volunteer baseball coach for Feather River College.
This afternoon Plumas Unified Superintendent Bill Roderick issued the following statement:
“The Plumas Unified School District is committed to a safe and welcoming school environment for all students and staff and denounces all forms of discrimination and harassment.
“Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Jason Hawkins is currently on administrative leave while the District investigates allegations of potential misconduct by Mr. Hawkins during his employment with the Plumas Unified School District. As with all personnel matters, the details are confidential and cannot be shared at this time.”
Feather River College President Kevin Trutna reiterated what he had told the reporters from EdSource — that Hawkins was a part-time volunteer who helped with the baseball team periodically, but was not employed by the college.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
