Concerned parents, community members take action to remove Jim Kelly, Rob Shield, Gary Woods, and Scott Eckert from public office.

APR. 24, 2025 —

Concerned parents and voters in San Diego’s East County have launched a recall effort to remove four members of the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Board of Trustees. This week, the group began collecting signatures on notices of intention to circulate recall petitions for GUHSD Trustees Jim Kelly, Rob Shield, Gary Woods, and Scott Eckert.

These four Trustees have drawn attention due to their recent decision to eliminate 61 teacher and staff positions in the district. These cuts include eliminating all librarians and cutting essential staff, including psychologists, special education educators, and an instructor who teaches safety to school bus drivers.

[See La Mesa Courier article: Outrage grows over Grossmont Union layoffs]

These actions reflect a neglect of duty, risking student wellness and academic success.

“The immediate goal of the recall movement is to remove Jim Kelly, Robert Shield, Gary Woods and Scott Eckert from office,” says Andy Trimlett, a parent in the district and volunteer with the recall effort. “But the larger goal of the movement is to ensure that the school district is a place where our kids can be safe, well-supported and set up to truly thrive in this world.”

Hundreds of people have shown up to recent GUHSD Board meetings to voice their opposition to the planned layoffs, but these four Trustees have continued to support the cuts.

“These Trustees have lost public trust because despite enormous outcry from parents, teachers, students, and community members, they continue to ignore the wishes of their constituents,” says Laura Preble, parent of a GUHSD alum, former English teacher at West Hills High School teacher, and retired Monte Vista High School librarian.

Unfortunately, the decision to cut essential school staff is just the latest in a long line of Board actions that have damaged public trust. The recall group cites several recent cases where the Trustees appear to prioritize their own interests and finances over student needs:

• Kelly, Shield, Woods, and Eckert all accepted campaign donations from a private business owner named John Wayne Howard. All four Trustees went on to approve motions to send taxpayer funds to Howard’s law firm: JW Howard Attorneys. This GUHSD service contract resulted in more than $600,000 in taxpayer money paid to JW Howard Attorneys, which raises concerns about pay-to-play arrangements among these public officials. Learn more
• Shield, Woods, and Eckert all hold jobs connected to private school education in East County, a glaring conflict of interest. Learn more
• Although the Board cites financial concerns to justify student-facing cuts, Kelly, Shield, Woods, and Eckert all supported the creation of a costly new “Chief of Staff” administrative position. They filled this position without public posting or interviews, raising concerns about misappropriation of public funds. Learn more

As community members pointed out at recent Board meetings, the Trustees were elected by—and work for—the voters and taxpayers of our community.

“We need public school advocates on the board,” adds Preble. “Show up. Make your voices heard. Don’t let four men with no stake in public schools ignore what you and your students need.”

The recall group will soon be preparing petitions to remove these four Trustees from office. Registered voters are encouraged to look up which Trustee represents their neighborhood.

[See Trustee Area map]

Trimlett encourages his fellow parents and community members to get involved in any way they can. “Write letters, show up to board meetings and volunteer with the recall movement.  Most important: when the petition comes out, sign it,” he says.

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