Rigler Elementary Principal on Leave Left Previous Job After Dispute

Gandarilla's departure from Rigler only a few weeks before the end of Portland Public Schools' year caught some parents by surprise but pleased teachers who had earlier complained in a letter to the district about the "culture of fear" at Rigler under Gandarilla. On April 14, teachers submitted a formal labor grievance against Gandarilla, saying she had created a "hostile, threatening, and intimidating working environment." 

Records WW obtained under two public records requests show Gandarilla went on paid administrative leave on May 8, 2014, from her previous job as director of equity and community outreach at the North Clackamas School District. Her employment ended June 30, 2014, according to a resignation agreement released to WW.

Gandarilla, who last month declined to be interviewed by WW, hasn't responded to a more recent request for an interview about the newly disclosed documents. A spokesman for PPS, Jon Isaacs, didn't immediately respond to a question about whether PPS knew the circumstances under which Gandarilla left her job at North Clackamas.

As part of her separation agreement, North Clackamas provided Gandarilla a one-page letter of recommendation.

"Her level of cultural competence and consciousness of barriers and challenges students of color faced was a perspective Sara brought to our district," the May 2014 letter said.

Records from 2013 show Gandarilla had alleged to the the Bureau of Labor and Industries that North Clackamas had retaliated against her for speaking out against racial discrimination.

In June 2013, a doctor diagnosed Gandarilla with hypertension and anxiety due to the treatment she was getting at work, a BOLI complaint reads. She took time off then requested a "private, calm place to lie down in times of anxiety." The BOLI complaint alleges North Clackamas's superintendent "placed a bed in the break room in the open in front of other staff," which Gandarilla considered retaliation for speaking out.