San Jose HS assistant principal candidate accused of racism

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) — Students, parents and teachers are protesting the possible choice for San Jose High School’s new assistant principal. The candidate reportedly has a history of allegations of racism and hostile working environments.

Joseph Heffernan is currently the principal at Lincoln High School. Members of that school say that Heffernan has asked students about immigration status and if they had a green card.

Community members say Heffernan should not be placed at San Jose High School over these allegations and say he will make students feel unsafe.

“I think my biggest concern is he’s going to discriminate a large number of our students, and our students are not going to come to school,” says San Jose High School teacher Eduardo Valladares. “We want to make sure all students have an opportunity come here and feel respected on our campus.”

When asked by KRON4 to comment on the allegations facing the school administrator, San Jose Unified School District said “no comment.”

Watch the full report from KRON4’s Jack Molmud in the video player above.