The Grossmont Union High School District is a cornerstone of our community. As someone who attended Monte Vista High School, has two daughters who graduated from this district, and now sees those same daughters serving as local teachers, I know its value firsthand.
Our schools are built on a promise of transparency, but that promise is only as strong as the trust between the Board of Trustees and the families it serves.
I carry this belief into my candidacy for GUHSD Board of Trustees, Area 3. To lead with integrity, I am choosing to be fully transparent about my own professional experience.
Recently, I worked with the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) to resolve errors in disclosure filings from my previous tenure as an administrator in San Mateo County. This matter involved a conflict-of-interest finding related to a planning process connected to my company and resulted in an $8,000 administrative fine. While the arrangement was developed in consultation with legal counsel and Northern California district leadership, I take full responsibility for ensuring my disclosures met every requirement.
The FPPC concluded these were “innocent errors” and “not an attempt to conceal” any financial interests. They confirmed that I “cooperated with the Enforcement Division,” that I “did not receive or seek a financial benefit,” and that my company provided services to that district “free of charge”.
Accountability means owning a mistake and correcting it in the light of day.
Currently, our own district faces a credibility gap. At its March 10 meeting, the GUHSD Board adopted an “Open Door Policy” resolution stating that “no employee shall face retaliation” for communicating with board members. These commitments must be reflected in conduct.
Public reporting of private texts and emails discussing district business outside of public meetings raises serious concerns about whether decisions are being made behind closed doors instead of in full view of the community.
A resolution alone cannot close this gap. It requires leadership that understands transparency is a duty, not an option. In 2026, we have an opportunity to restore trust and bring forward leadership that models integrity in actions, not just words.
Jeneé Littrell is a candidate for the Grossmont Union High School District Board of Trustees, Area 3. She resides in El Cajon.
