Former Principal Sues Dehesa School District for Whistleblower Retaliation

Natoshia Bartley claims she was fired after reporting violations at the school

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The Dehesa School District in San Diego, California is facing a lawsuit from its former principal, Natoshia Bartley, who alleges she was targeted and fired after bringing attention to various issues within the district, including lack of safety protocols, unaccounted student attendance, and improper medication administration.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns over high principal turnover and potential retaliation against whistleblowers in the education system. It raises questions about oversight and accountability within school districts, as well as the challenges faced by administrators who try to address systemic problems.

The details

Bartley claims that shortly after being hired as vice principal in 2024, the sitting principal at the time, Elizabeth Carzoli, was forced to resign. Bartley was then promoted to principal, but says she soon discovered numerous violations of California law, including lack of safety plans, unqualified athletic coaches, unaccounted students on buses, and improper medication administration. Bartley reported these issues to supervisors, the county education office, and a third-party investigator. She alleges that as a result, she was "belittled, undermined, isolated" and had her authority stripped away, leading to her termination in June 2025.

  • Bartley was hired as vice principal in 2024.
  • Bartley was promoted to principal in September 2024.
  • Bartley was fired by the school board in June 2025.

The players

Natoshia Bartley

The former principal of Dehesa School who is suing the district for whistleblower retaliation.

Elizabeth Carzoli

The previous principal of Dehesa School who was forced to resign, according to Bartley's claims.

Dehesa School District

The school district in San Diego, California that is being sued by former principal Natoshia Bartley.

John Gomez

The attorney representing former principal Natoshia Bartley in her lawsuit against the Dehesa School District.

Bradley Johnson

The superintendent of the Dehesa School District who declined to comment on the lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“She walked into an environment riddled with violation of California law. No safety plans, no CPR-certified coaches on the athletic fields, students going unaccounted for on-school busses, medications administered to children without documentation, a school with no English language development instruction and attendance records that a state audit later confirmed were fabricated, potentially costing taxpayers nearly $1 million.”

— John Gomez, Attorney (nbcsandiego.com)

“She did not look the other way. She did not protect her job by staying silent. She reported every one of those violations to her supervisors, to the San Diego County Office of Education, and, ultimately, to a third-party investigator. And so what happened to her as a result? She was belittled, undermined, isolated. Her authority was stripped away.”

— John Gomez, Attorney (nbcsandiego.com)

“I didn't like seeing that one year there was a principal, then next year, gone. And then there was another one. I felt like with Bartley, at first I was like, 'Oh, she's just going to be gone next year.' That's just how it usually is.”

— Bailey McCarty, Former Student (nbcsandiego.com)

What’s next

The case will likely be headed for trial as the Dehesa School District has rejected all the claims made in the former principal's lawsuit.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges faced by school administrators who try to address systemic issues, as well as the need for greater oversight and accountability within school districts to protect whistleblowers and ensure student safety.