After a dramatic meeting of the Rancho Santa Fe School District’s board on June 12, tensions escalated to a physical altercation in the district office’s elevator. The incident involved two board members, Paul Seitz and Bill Ross, with Seitz being identified as the aggressor in a police report obtained by Voice of San Diego.

Despite the incident occurring months ago, the community is still reeling from the fallout. The lack of public statements from the board has only fueled curiosity and concerns among residents.

Bill Ross referenced the elevator scuffle during a recent meeting, prompting calls for transparency from the local news outlet. This incident shed light on previous instances where Seitz’s behavior made staff members feel threatened.

Simple Battery

The June 12 board meeting was already tense due to the sudden resignation of the District’s Superintendent, Tom Bennett. The disagreement on how to appoint a replacement further fueled the heated atmosphere.

After the meeting, a confrontation between Bill Ross and Paul Seitz led to a physical altercation in the elevator where Bill Ross was pushed into a wall. The situation was chaotic, with another board member, Jee Manghani, trying to intervene.

When law enforcement arrived, Seitz had left the premises, but witness statements pointed to him as the instigator of the incident. Despite this, Seitz, Annette Ross, and Manghani continued serving on the board without repercussions.

‘It Was Such a Small Thing’

Seitz downplayed the incident, claiming it was a minor spat that got blown out of proportion. He insisted that the confrontation with Bill Ross was a misunderstanding and that they resolved it amicably afterward.

However, previous incidents involving Seitz engaging in threatening behavior towards district employees cast a shadow over his behavior. An aggressive encounter in 2019 led to a cease and desist letter from the school district, warning him against further misconduct.

Despite Seitz’s attempts to downplay the severity of his actions, concerns linger within the community about the board’s credibility and the safety of the students under their care.