Edgewood ISD superintendent resigns following harassment complaint

Edgewood Independent School District’s board of managers voted to put Superintendent Emilio Castro on paid leave as a third-party firm investigates a harassment complaint against him. Edgewood Independent School District’s board of managers voted to put Superintendent Emilio Castro on paid leave as a third-party firm investigates a harassment complaint against him. Photo: Courtesy Photo Photo: Courtesy Photo Image 1 of / 39 Caption Close Edgewood ISD superintendent resigns following harassment complaint 1 / 39 Back to Gallery

Edgewood Independent School District Superintendent Emilio Castro resigned Thursday, following a month-long investigation into a harassment complaint made against him.

Castro's resignation will take effect March 31, district officials said in a news release. His contract with Edgewood ISD was set to keep him in his position until December 2019. However, on Thursday night, the district and Castro came to a "mutual agreement" to allow Edgewood ISD to move forward in finding a new superintendent, officials said.

Castro will be paid his normal salary and benefits through March 31.

RELATED: Edgewood ISD officials looking into harassment allegations against superintendent

Philip Chavez, the district's chief academic officer, who was appointed as acting administrator in charge of Edgewood ISD on Feb. 23 after Castro was placed on leave, will continue in that role as the search for a permanent superintendent is launched.

The staffing changes come roughly one month after a female district employee filed complaints with the district and the San Antonio Police Department.

The woman said Castro put his hand on her shin and applied a "a small amount of pressure" before running his hand down her leg, making her uncomfortable, according to a Feb. 16 police report.

There were a number of other incidents involving Castro the woman said made her uncomfortable. She said Castro shook her hand once and wouldn't let go. He once placed his hands on her shoulder and wouldn't remove them when she tried to shake him off, she told the police. The report also says the woman said Castro ran his hand across her lower back.

"The board also wishes to thank the complainant for coming forward and any witness that participated in the investigation and would like to reiterate that harassment of or retaliation against any district employee is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated," reads a news release from Edgewood ISD.

Staff writer Caleb Downs contributed to this report. | Kelsey Bradshaw is a digital reporter for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| kbradshaw@express-news.net | Twitter: @kbrad5