Toppenish School District releases investigation report on John M. Cerna

The Toppenish School District has released the results of a year-long investigation into former superintendent John M. Cerna, whom board members fired in late February.

The report, posted on the district's website, is divided into three parts totaling 95 pages. It was completed by the Seabold Group, a Seattle-based firm specializing in public- and private-sector workplace investigations, forensic accounting and litigation support.

The school board hired the firm to investigate after a 2022 state audit report found issues with a lack of oversight over the superintendent's pay, benefits and contract, along with other issues. The state audit covered a period from Sept. 1, 2019, to Aug. 31, 2021.

The board retained the Seabold Group to further investigate the state auditor's office findings over a longer period, and to cover additional areas, including:

• Cerna's stewardship of district resources and finances.

• Cerna's management of contracts with online providers and vendors.

• The extent of his relationship with the Community Safety Network, also addressed in the state audit report.

• His role in lawsuits filed by current and former employees.

• His role in the investigation and firing of his son in January 2022.

The Toppenish school board on Feb. 27 unanimously voted to discharge Cerna from his contract. The board had placed Cerna on nondisciplinary, paid administrative leave in February 2023 as the investigation proceeded. The 2022 state audit report led to Cerna being asked to repay just over $20,000 to the Toppenish School District for illegitimate stipends, retroactive pay and vacation buyback days he collected over two years.

Meeting this week

Effective Friday, acting superintendent Shawn Myers resumes his work as an assistant superintendent, school board Vice President Elese Washines said in a statement. Myers sent a letter to the school board formalizing a discussion with board members in which he asked to be released from his supplemental contract for the position of acting superintendent effective March 15. "We, together have agreed on this step," Myers' letter says.

"Serving as Acting Superintendent has been both an honor and a challenging experience. ... After careful consideration, I have decided to return to my previous role, as outlined in my contact, as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. This decision is made in the best interest of both me and my family."

With the open position, the school board will be meeting to discuss the superintendent position further, she said.

The special meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and be followed by an executive session. Approval of the superintendent search plan and timeline submitted by Northwest Leadership Association is on the agenda for the special meeting, which is open to the public. Board members will review and discuss the qualifications of applicants for the interim superintendent position during the executive session to follow.

After his firing Feb. 27, Cerna did not comment other than say he would likely sue the school district for wrongful termination. 

Cerna first joined the Toppenish School District in 1979 as a middle school teacher. Through the years, he was praised for bringing more funds to the district, strengthening its sports programs and facilitating school construction projects. He became superintendent in 2010.

His son Johnny Cerna and daughter-in-law Bertha Cerna were fired from jobs at Toppenish High School in 2022 after a district-commissioned investigation found it likely that the couple had engaged in inappropriate activity involving students, alcohol and firearms.

The state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction revoked Johnny Cerna's education certificate Nov. 30 because of unprofessional conduct.

Bertha Cerna was charged in Yakima County Superior Court with first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor and two counts of furnishing liquor to a minor in August 2022. The charges were dismissed in June 2023 after she died of an accidental drug overdose in California while out on bail.