A former school district official has accused Nicole Lash, the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services at the Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD), of misconduct alleging unethical behavior, intimidation, and improper and fraudulent financial practices, according to a statement provided to the district and obtained by Valley News. A uniform complaint was filed against Lash on February 28th.
The complainant who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, was placed on administrative leave. The complainant claims that their placement on administrative leave was a retaliatory measure designed to obstruct access to district communications that could corroborate allegations against Lash, the senior administrator.
“I believe the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services had me placed on administrative leave in order to protect information that would be incriminating to her, under the guise of protecting the district’s interests,” the statement reads.
The complainant also accuses the administrator of inappropriate workplace behavior, including a comment condoning intra-departmental relationships, saying, “It’s okay to f*** anyone in the department as long as you don’t do their eval.” Lash later allegedly used a discussion about a flirtatious vendor as justification for the complainant’s administrative leave.
Allegations of Discrimination and Retaliation
The statement also details incidents in which Lash made inappropriate remarks about protected classes, according to Title 9. In one instance, she reportedly asked a colleague, “Do you feel good that you’re smarter than an Asian?” Lash is also accused of abusing district personnel resources Galaxy and Etrieve to cross-reference emergency contact information to “confirm her suspicions that he [the new director] was gay,” said the complainant. “She had already verbalized that she was going to ‘throw him under the bus’.”
Additionally, Lash is accused of fostering a workplace culture of intimidation, labeling staff members who disagreed with her as “dead to her” and retaliating against those who suggested increased transparency in district budgeting. The complainant said that several senior employees have reportedly left the district under her leadership, including four fiscal directors and numerous accountants.
Financial Misconduct and Manipulation of Reports
The allegations extend beyond workplace misconduct to accusations of financial improprieties. Lash purportedly directed auditors whom she had prior professional relationships with, to obscure a financial restatement related to revenue from a 5G cell tower lease. The change allegedly downplayed the availability of unrestricted funds that could be allocated for salary increases and other expenses.
Further claims suggest Lash improperly influenced the district’s audit process by selecting an auditor she could “trust,” with concerns that she may have manipulated financial reports in the district’s favor.
In another incident, Lash allegedly asked the complainant to alter a warrant report to cover up a travel reimbursement error before it was submitted to the school board. While the refund had been processed, the complainant later questioned whether other financial records may have been improperly altered at her direction.
The complainant suggests that if Lash spent less time gossiping in her office about her personal vendettas against district staff and allowed the fiscal staff to make decisions without overturning them, the department could invest more time in enhancing controls and building relationships that would prevent repeated instances of improper conduct by decentralized staff. This is referring to examples such as an embezzlement that occurred at Temecula Valley High School in 2019.
Allegations of Nepotism and Contract Violations
The statement also raises concerns about nepotism within the district. Lash allegedly hired a close friend, whom she had known since high school and vacations with, as an executive assistant. According to the complainant, Lash hired two other TVUSD administrators from a prior audit firm where she worked, an Assistant Director making over $100k and a Director who will be making over $200k this year.
Additionally, Lash reportedly facilitated a six-figure consulting contract for a former district employee and friend who was unhappy in her new job in another state after leaving TVUSD. The consultant’s contract and payments were scrutinized by a community member during a January 28 school board meeting, asking, “Why is the district currently paying over $50,000 to an ex-employee while she is living in Texas?” The complainant explained that this is only one installment payment that the community member saw on the warrant report. The complainant said, “The full contract authorizes a much larger amount, approaching $200,000. The district is paying the consultant while also funding two duplicate systems when the consultant was responsible for transitioning from one system to the other.”
In addition, the claimant asserts that “the consultant/friend was given unauthorized access to systems and responsibilities exceeding board-approved duties, and due to the District not taking action on the complaint for nearly two weeks, there is now evidence that Lash has since attempted to cover up this inappropriate access after learning about the complaint.”
Call for Independent Investigation
The claimant has contacted the superintendent, emailed the school board detailing these allegations, expressing concerns that an independent investigation may not occur due to fears of retaliation, and filed a uniform complaint with the district.
“I hope the board and district will take these allegations seriously and investigate them thoroughly and independently,” the statement reads. “Necessary changes must be made to ensure that staff no longer suffer from her bullying, intimidation, and inappropriate conduct. The public and board should be able to rely upon financial reports and warrant registers.”
Valley News reached out to the district for a response regarding the allegations. Calls for transparency and a formal investigation are expected to be a topic of discussion at the next board meeting.
TVUSD Marketing, Communications, and Innovation Officer Jimmy Evans wrote, “The Temecula Unified School District is aware of the allegations brought by a former employee regarding misconduct by district staff. These are serious allegations and it will require a third party to investigate. We are requesting board approval to hire an independent third-party investigator to look into the matter. We look forward to the results of the investigation and the facts about this issue to become clear. Thank you for your patience as we follow appropriate district and legal protocols.”
