Media alert: Speaking out against Grossmont school board misconduct

East County community leaders, parents to hold press conference outside school board meeting on Thursday, July 17

July 16, 2025 — Concerned parents, students, and community leaders are demanding the resignation of Trustees Scott Eckert, Jim Kelly, Robert Shield, and Gary C. Woods from the Governing Board of the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD).

Following recent news reports of trustee misconduct, community leaders and volunteers have organized a press conference to be held at 5 p.m. this Thursday, July 17, ahead of the GUHSD Governing Board Meeting. The press conference will take place outside of the Grossmont High School Event Center Theater (1100 Murray Drive. El Cajon, CA 92020).

Speakers include:

La Mesa City Councilmember Lauren Cazares — public education advocate and graduate of a GUHSD school.
Brian Jensen — board member for Recall Eckert, La Mesa resident and parent of two incoming GUHSD students
Madeline McCurry-Schmidt — La Mesa resident, parent, and graduate of a GUHSD school.

These speakers will share how Eckert and his fellow trustees have manipulated voter trust—and how the school board actions have impacted student achievement and school funding. [Learn more: Trustee fact sheet]

Community members, including local educators, will also hold a rally outside the Grossmont High School Event Center Theatre prior to the Governing Board Meeting. The Board Meeting begins at 6 p.m.

Background on trustee misconduct

Voters and taxpayers in San Diego’s East County are deeply concerned by school board actions that appear to violate the Brown Act. In addition, the San Diego Union-Tribune has reported Eckert may have benefitted from fake “ghost” candidates that drew votes away from his political opponent in the 2024 election, and reporters highlighted a potential pay-for-play situation between Eckert and a major donor to his political campaign.

This press conference also comes after the recent GUHSD Trustee decision to cut to 61 essential school staff and eliminate all teacher-librarian positions at district high schools. At the same time, Eckert, Kelly, Shield, and Woods diverted taxpayer dollars to a disgraced former teacher investigated for “immoral conduct” on a school campus.

About us:

The effort to recall the GUHSD trustees is community-driven, grass-roots push to bring better leadership to the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD). The group is run by volunteers, including GUHSD parents, teachers, and alumni. Learn more at RecallTheTrustees.com.

To fund the recall effort, East County voters have formed a PAC called “East County Voices for Public Education.” Donate to the recall effort by visiting this link.