Fired Teacher with Harassment Record Removed from Classroom Amid New Complaints

The Redwood City School District has removed Jason Agan, a middle school math teacher, from the classroom following new allegations of inappropriate behavior. Agan, who was previously fired for sexual harassment in 2019, faced additional complaints during his tenure at Clifford School in Redwood City, prompting the district to take action.

According to an investigation by KQED and ProPublica, Agan had been accused of inappropriately touching students at two previous schools. Despite being found unfit to teach by an independent panel after his 2019 dismissal from Angelo Rodriguez High School, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing only suspended his teaching license for seven days in 2021. This allowed him to secure new teaching positions, including one at Ephraim Williams College Prep Middle School and later at Clifford School.

The district’s handling of Agan’s hiring has raised concerns among parents. Redwood City school board president David Weekly stated that the board plans to review its hiring process after parents called for greater transparency and accountability. Superintendent John Baker confirmed that a third-party investigator would examine the district’s procedures, while deputy superintendent Wendy Kelly acknowledged that background checks typically involve contacting former employers and reviewing the state’s educator database.

Parents have expressed frustration over what they perceive as inadequate vetting of Agan’s history. Clifford principal Kristy Jackson assured parents in an email that she had no safety concerns about Agan prior to his removal, though she declined to discuss confidential personnel matters. Agan himself has not responded to the new complaints or previous allegations, denying any sexual intent behind his actions during his earlier dismissal hearing.

This case highlights gaps in California’s teacher licensing system and the need for stricter oversight to prevent individuals with a history of misconduct from re-entering the classroom. The district’s response, including its commitment to reviewing hiring practices, signals an effort to address these concerns and ensure student safety moving forward.