The Mountain View Whisman School District will pay $700,000 to two educators who accused former Superintendent Ayindé Rudolph of sexual harassment and discrimination. Trustees approved the deal unanimously in closed session on Thursday, Oct. 22, the Mountain View Voice reported.
The settlement
- Stevenson Elementary Principal Megan Pohlman and former Graham Middle School Principal Heidi Galassi will each receive $350,000, according to the Mercury News.
- The district agreed to restructure its employee complaint process so administrators won't have to report harassment or discrimination to the alleged perpetrator, or to someone who reports directly to that person.
- As part of the deal, both women agreed to withdraw complaints they filed with the California Civil Rights Department in May 2026.
Background
Pohlman and Galassi filed separate complaints against Rudolph in fall 2024, on Oct. 4 and Nov. 19, according to the Mercury News. Rudolph went on leave Oct. 7, 2024, and resigned about a month later. The district hired him in 2015. Under his 2024 resignation agreement, the board paid him $98,259, equal to three months of salary and retirement contributions. The Voice reported the harassment allegations weren't publicly known until board President Charles DiFazio announced the settlement Thursday.
A joint statement from Pohlman and DiFazio said Pohlman "appreciates the opportunity to have her concerns heard." Asked for comment by the Mercury News, Rudolph replied by email, "it must be election time again!" and quoted Bible verses.