Modesto High principal, now on leave, has been under investigation since Nov. 29
Modesto High School Principal Jason Manning, currently on paid administrative leave, has been under investigation since Tuesday, Nov. 29, regarding possible inappropriate conduct with a fellow employee on campus.
At the end of that day, Modesto City Schools learned about the allegations regarding Manning and the unidentified colleague, district spokeswoman Linda Mumma Solorio said Wednesday.
Two days later, on Thursday, Dec. 1, the district put Manning and the certificated employee on leave following its preliminary investigation.
“Things were happening at the late end on Thursday and Friday and through the weekend,” Solorio said.
On Monday, Assistant Principal Phuc Pham-Goulart sent out a note to Modesto High parents, telling them Manning was on a “leave of absence until further notice” and she would be the “administrator-in-charge” in the meantime.
Solorio said the district has an obligation to inform families about changes in school leadership but decided to wait to inform parents until Monday because of the “investigative process.”
On Tuesday, posts alleging inappropriate behavior by Manning appeared on social media, along with a 3-second video allegedly showing the behavior.
District officials confirmed Tuesday night to the Bee that Manning and the unidentified employee were on leave and under investigation. Modesto High families received the same information that day. The district followed up later that evening with a statement that the video was not related to the investigation.
“Initially it was important to get the communication out to campus because there was a leadership change,” said Solorio. The second (communication) was, as the investigation evolved, to provide parents with an update. And as that was in the works, we learned about this video and had to look into the validity of it.”
The district further said that it had “determined the allegations are isolated and do not involve any students or other staff members.”
The district said this is an “active and ongoing confidential investigation” and will not provide more information at this time.
It is unclear what position the unidentified employee holds. Certification is required by the state to hold some type of teaching credential. That includes most administrators and full-time, part-time, substitute and temporary teachers.
According to Bee archives, Manning became Modesto High principal in 2009, when he was promoted after serving as the school’s associate principal of curriculum and instruction.
