GUHSD Board of Education Ā· Area 3 Ā· 2026
Where JeneĆ© stands ā and how the incumbent voted.
ā¦ JeneĆ©’s Commitment
True safety requires a dedicated department focused on physical security, emergency preparedness, and a culture of belonging. Our campuses must be the safest places in our community.
Board compensation must be tied to staff raises. I will prioritize the teachers and services that directly impact students ā not political pay raises for board members.
Every high school requires a credentialed librarian. Students deserve the research and literacy skills for college and career success. Libraries are not optional.
No political payouts. No avoidable legal settlements. Taxpayer dollars must be spent on students ā not on “pay for play” politics or six-figure severance packages.
An open-door policy where major decisions happen only after families and educators are treated as true partners. No secret texts. No war rooms. Govern in the light.
Students deserve practical pathways to life after high school. I will expand career technical education, increase opportunities to earn college credit, and ensure every graduate can confidently use the technology shaping todayās workplace.
ā The Incumbent’s Record
Quadrupled His Own Pay ā 373%
In December 2025, Gary Woods voted to increase his own pay from $534 to $2,000 per month while giving teachers only 2% and claiming a “budget crisis.”
Source: GUHSD Board Minutes, 12/15/25
Fired All 9 Credentialed Librarians
In February 2025, Gary Woods voted to eliminate every credentialed librarian in the district despite the district holding a 13.7% reserve ā more than 4.5Ć the state minimum.
Source: San Diego Union Tribune, 02/2025
Terminated Mental Health Contracts
Gary Woods voted to cancel long-standing contracts for suicide prevention and clinical care, losing collaborative funding and leaving vulnerable students without essential support.
Source: GUHSD Board Actions, 2024ā2025
Dissolved the School Safety Department
Gary Woods voted to eliminate the entire School Safety Department, leaving campus security without centralized leadership during a time of increased safety concerns.
Source: GUHSD Board Minutes, May 11, 2024
$186,000 Severance to a Political Associate
Gary Woods voted for a $186,000 severance payout to a political associate and presided over a board majority that cost taxpayers $1.2 million in a 2025 retaliation settlement.
Source: Voice of San Diego, 05/2025; Haeggquist & Eck, 12/2025
Secret “War Room” Text Threads
Leaked private texts revealed Gary Woods plotted in a secret “war room” to target employees’ jobs based on “loyalty” and personal beliefs rather than professional performance.
Source: San Diego Union Tribune, 06/2025
Sources & References
1. Board compensation increase (373%) ā East County Magazine, Dec. 16, 2025 Ā· eastcountymagazine.org Ā· Official board minutes: go.boarddocs.com
2. Elimination of all 9 credentialed librarians ā Times of San Diego, Feb. 28, 2025 Ā· timesofsandiego.com
3. Termination of mental health contracts (San Diego Youth Services) ā East County Magazine Ā· eastcountymagazine.org
4. Dissolution of School Safety Department ā East County Magazine, Jul. 18, 2024 Ā· eastcountymagazine.org Ā· Note: vote occurred May 11, 2024, effective June 30, 2024.
5. $186,000 severance to a political associate ā Voice of San Diego, May 7, 2025 Ā· voiceofsandiego.org Ā· Timeline: timesofsandiego.com
6. Secret “war room” text threads ā Investigation by San Diego Union-Tribune, Jun. 2025 (paywalled). See also: edsource.org Ā· cbs8.com
The Choice is Clear
“Our students deserve a leader who puts their safety and education before personal politics and their own paycheck.”
ā JeneĆ© Littrell
While the incumbent claimed a “budget crisis” to justify firing safety personnel and librarians, he found the funds to quadruple his own pay and pay out a $186,000 severance to a political associate.
JeneƩ Littrell has spent 25 years building safer, stronger schools from the inside. It is time to elect someone who puts students first.