Atascadero High School Principal Nikki Baca has been on paid administrative leave for nearly a month.
Since then, students, parents, and teachers have called for her return; her husband has accused district administrators of retaliation; and allegations of inappropriate comments have surfaced against Superintendent Tom Bennett.
Now, the Atascadero Unified School District is conducting two separate investigations.
The district has hired an outside law firm to investigate allegations of misconduct involving Baca, while the school board initiated an independent review of allegations against Bennett, according to board President Denise McGrew-Kane.
When Baca was placed on leave in mid-October, the district offered little explanation, citing the confidentiality of personnel matters.
At an Oct. 20 board meeting, Baca’s husband, Joseph Baca, accused Bennett and other administrators of retaliating against his wife for questioning leadership decisions and raising concerns about student safety.
“You removed her from strategic planning for asking questions, then reprimanded her for challenging what narrative you would spin to the board and told her to stop putting things in writing,” Joseph told trustees. “She questioned you, stood on her morals, and refused to jeopardize student safety.”
He also accused Bennett of making inappropriate comments about his wife.
“Your comments about my wife’s age, beauty, and Native American features, and how much high school boys must love her are completely inappropriate,” Joseph said. “She’s a principal, not an object for your commentary.”
The allegations have not been independently verified by New Times.
In an Oct. 30 letter to district families and staff, Bennett confirmed the investigations.
“An outside investigator will assist in ensuring these matters are reviewed thoroughly, fairly, and objectively,” Bennett wrote.
The letter did not directly address Joseph’s specific accusations.
At the district’s Nov. 3 board meeting, McGrew-Kane confirmed that Baca remained on leave pending the misconduct investigation.
“Paid administrative leave is a standard non-disciplinary measure that allows the district to conduct a thorough, fair, and impartial review,” McGrew-Kane said.
The board acknowledged the allegations against Bennett but declined to provide details, again citing confidential personnel matters.
Bennett previously served as superintendent of the Rancho Santa Fe School District; he resigned in June 2024 after just over a year on the job.
According to board minutes, the district unanimously approved a voluntary resignation agreement that included a $220,000 payment and accrued vacation. At the time, the district said both parties had mutually agreed to part ways but did not publicly disclose a reason for his departure.
Carrie White, a parent who spoke during the Nov. 3 meeting, asked trustees why Bennett had not been placed on administrative leave.
“If that precaution is appropriate for Principal Baca, why isn’t it being considered for a superintendent?” White asked.
She urged the board to apply the same procedures to both administrators.
“This isn’t about assuming anyone is guilty,” White said. “It’s about fairness, consistency, and accountability.”
Other speakers at the Nov. 3 meeting defended Baca’s leadership.
Atascadero High social studies teacher Tara Patterson presented findings from a graduate school case study she conducted examining Baca’s tenure.
According to Patterson, the school’s graduation rate increased from 93 to 98 percent, college and career readiness rose from 49 to 59 percent, and suspensions declined approximately 40 percent during Baca’s time as principal.
Patterson urged trustees to consider those figures when making decisions about the school’s leadership.
“Our district emphasizes data-driven decisions,” she said. “I’m asking you to follow through with that in your choices in school leadership.”
In a Nov. 7 Facebook post, parent Gaby Romo questioned whether district policies were being applied consistently. She alleged that Baca had gone 24 days without being informed of the accusations against her.
District officials have maintained that confidentiality requirements limit what they can disclose while the investigations proceed.
“We remain committed to following appropriate processes, respecting the rights of everyone involved, and allowing the facts to guide our decisions,” Bennett wrote in his Oct. 30 letter. ∆
This article appears in Nov 12-19, 2026.
