Cedillo provided CNN with a copy of the letter Gutierrez received Thursday from the department chief, which states she can return to work on July 28, 2022, in an administrative capacity, meaning director.
“Thank you for responding to our request for information by submitting your response to the House investigative report. As a result of our review, you will be cleared to return to work on that date (July 28, 2022),” wrote Hal Harrell, the superintendent of the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District.
“As we discussed today, by mutual agreement, you will continue to serve the District in an administrative capacity. Thank you for helping us as we work through the transition,” Harrell wrote.
CNN has reached out to the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District for comment.
Javier Cazares, whose daughter was killed in the mass shooting, called the principal’s return to work “a slap in our faces,” referring to the victims and their parents.
“As a custodian, she was supposed to make sure the school was safe, and she failed her job, ultimately,” said Cazares, whose daughter Jaclyn was 9.
“This will show you how Uvalde works. They will do anything to protect themselves and forget the children,” Cazares told CNN. “Nobody wants to be held accountable for their actions and inactions, and it makes me sick.
Cedillo said his client is not seeking rehab.
“She just wanted to be allowed to continue her efforts to help heal families in the community she loves,” Cedillo said Friday.
“She understands and respects that the grieving process can include anger. It’s a natural reaction and she respects and empathizes with whatever those affected are going through. She is praying for the strength to focus on the healing process, which will be long and possibly never … end,” Cedillo said.
The principal’s reinstatement comes after an exclusive interview with CNN on Wednesday in which Gutierrez defended her actions during the May 24 shooting.
“I feel like I followed the training I was given to the best of my ability,” she said when asked if she thought she should lose her job. “And I will understand myself for the rest of my life.”
During the interview, she disputed the criticism leveled against her in the Texas House Investigative Committee report — which alleged that the school had a culture of not following safety policies, that spotty Wi-Fi could delay active shooter containment and that she failed to use the intercom system to alert the campus.
Gutierrez wrote a letter to the Texas House Investigative Committee and the county on Wednesday defending her actions, saying the allegations against her were “unfair and inaccurate.” Gutierrez also stated that she was pursuing her studies that fateful day and wanted her job back. CNN obtained a copy of the letter from Sedillo.
CNN’s Jeremy Harlan and Ray Sanchez contributed to this report.
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