City Councilor Amanda Chavez has resigned from her position at Santa Fe Public Schools and is accusing Superintendent Hilario “Larry” Chavez of sexual harassment, her attorneys announced Monday.
A statement issued by attorneys John Day and Joleen Youngers says Amanda Chavez stepped down from her job as assistant principal at Santa Fe High School on Friday, “after a school district internal investigation sustained allegations she made against SFPS Superintendent of Schools Hilario ‘Larry’ Chavez for his repeated sexual harassment of her — and retaliation when she declined his sexual advances.”
The statement alleges Larry Chavez texted Amanda Chavez on his work cellphone, asking for sexual favors in return for what he viewed as favors he had given her through work. After Amanda Chavez declined his advances, the statement alleges, she became the subject of “increased scrutiny and hostility” from the superintendent’s office.
In a Monday interview, Day said the harassment had been going on for a period of months before she filed a complaint.
“She loved her work for the schools and the students, so this has been devastating,” Day said. “She’s brave for not staying silent and making the reports about what happened to her.”
The statement says Amanda Chavez “intends to pursue all legal remedies against Superintendent Hilario Chavez and the Board of Education and advises other women employees to take notice of Superintendent Hilario Chavez accordingly.”
