Days before ex-Heritage High School Teacher Carlos Hurtado ran onto the field during a football game and was arrested by the Brentwood Police Department, he was warned to stay away from Heritage High School campus.

According to a public records request, the Liberty Union High School District provided three letters directly to Hurtado with the first being August 29 after Hurtado voluntarily resigned–he was informed the school board accepted his resignation and he was no longer allowed to be on the Heritage High School campus.

Hurtado then proceeded to go onto both Heritage High School and Freedom High School campuses which prompted the District to send two additional letters on Sept. 5 and Sept. 6 reminding him to stay away from all District facilities and if he didn’t comply might be in violation of the law.

The District still has not provided any information as to why Hurtado “voluntarily resigned” or any indication if parents had come forward regarding suspicions on activity involving Hurtado.

Here is the August 29 email letter from Denise Rugani, Associated Superintendent, to Hurtado.

Dear Carlos,

Your resignation has been accepted by the School Board, effective today. We will be paying your through September 11, 2023 to honor your two week notice. From this point forward, you are not to be on the Heritage High School campus. We will need to collect your keys and allow you to collect your personal belongings from your classroom.

Please correspond with me or with Hillary Pedrotti when you will drop your keys off to me or Hillary. If you would like to drop your keys off to Steve Amaro, I can also make that happen. Please also let me know when during after school hours you would like to pick up your personal belongings and I can have you escorted to your classroom. It can be with me, Hillary, another teacher or Steve Amaro. Please just let me know.

I do wish you the best.
Sincerely,
Denise Rugani
Associate Superintendent, HR
Liberty Union High School District

After the arrest at Heritage High School, the District on September 5 wrote a letter to Hurtado reminding him he was no longer an employee at the Liberty Union High School District—including being a soccer coach.  The letter highlighted the disruption at Heritage High School during the football gamer while acknowledging he also went onto the campus of Freedom High School.

Letter provided by LUHSD

A third letter was sent to Hurtado on September 6 warning him to stay away from any of the Liberty Union High School District campuses, properties or buildings or attend any events where Liberty Union High School students or staff are present.

The District confirmed Monday that no other incidents have occurred that they are aware of and no other communications between the data of the public records request and as of Monday Sept. 11.

According to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, Hurtado was given a Certificate of Clerance on February 22, 2020 and a preliminary single subject teaching credentials on May 14, 2022. Prior to that, he was a substitute teacher.

On September 6, Hurtado apparently filed a Civil Harassment Restraining Order against Heritage High School principal Casey Lewis according to the Contra Costa County Courts.

Sept. 1 Ex-Teacher Arrested After Running onto Field During Heritage HS Football Game

On Friday, the Brentwood Police Department took a man into custody who ran onto the football field during a Heritage High School football game.

According to preliminary information, the man is Carlos Hurtado, an ex-teacher at Heritage High School, who was recently separated from the District.  It is unconfirmed by the District if he resigned or was terminated–however, a social media post on his own page says he was “forced to resign”.

During Fridays game, Hurtado ran onto the field and avoided both Brentwood Police and security before a Granada High School coach tackled him to the ground with a stiff shoulder.

Emails Friday night to the Brentwood Police Department, Heritage High School Principal Casey Lewis and Superintendent Eric Volta have not yet been returned. No update has been provided as of 8:20 am Saturday.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriffs office, Carlos Hurtado was arrested and has a bail amount of $3,000.

UPDATE from Principal Casey Lewis:

He said the District was still investigating Saturday morning about what had happened and called what transpired during the football game as “sad and unfortunate.” He confirmed the individual was previously employed by the LUHSD but is no longer a current employee.  He couldn’t reveal much but thanked Brentwood Police for their response.

2:15 pm UPDATE Disrupting A School Activity at Heritage High School

On September 1, 2023 at 7:25 pm, Brentwood Police Officers were working the Heritage High School vs. Granada High School football game when the Heritage High School principal alerted officers to a former staff member named Carlos Hurtado, a 27-year-old male from Oakley.

Hurtado had previously received a trespass admonishment to stay away from Heritage High School campus.

Officers attempted to contact Hurtado while the game was in progress, but Hurtado fled on foot in an effort to escape officers. Officers foot pursued Hurtado within the football stadium, but was subsequently taken into custody after being tackled by a bystander.

Hurtado was arrested for disturbing a school activity, trespassing, and obstruction charged. This was an isolated incident to which no officers or bystanders sustained injury.

Hurtado was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.,

It is unclear what the mans intention was with running onto the field, if he was armed, or simply was seeking attention.

Several readers Friday night quickly identified the man as Carlos Hurtado while his own Facebook page  on Friday at 3:52 pm was asking for help while noting this school year has been a “nightmare” saying he was forced to resign.

Bring back Mr.Hurtado!!

We, the concerned students, parents, and community members of Brentwood, California, are urging the school district to reconsider its decision and bring back Mr. Hurtado as a beloved teacher at Heritage High School.

Mr. Hurtado has been an exceptional educator for over 6 years, at liverty union district, positively impacting countless lives within our community. His dedication to his students’ academic growth and personal development has made him an invaluable asset to our school.

1. Unmatched Teaching Excellence:
Mr. Hurtado consistently demonstrated excellence in teaching through his innovative methods that engaged students in their learning process while fostering critical thinking skills. His ability to connect with students on a personal level created a supportive environment where everyone felt valued and motivated.

2. Remarkable Student Achievements:
Under Mr. Hurtado’s guidance, his students consistently achieved outstanding results academically and beyond the classroom walls. Many of them have gone on to excel in prestigious universities or pursue successful careers in various fields.

3. Positive Impact on Mental Health: Mr. Hurtado’s empathetic nature extended beyond academics; he genuinely cared about his students’ well-being both inside and outside of school hours. He provided emotional support when needed most, creating a safe space for open discussions about mental health challenges faced by many young individuals today.

4.Cultural Sensitivity & Inclusivity:
As an advocate for diversity and inclusivity within the classroom setting, Mr.Hurtado fostered an environment that celebrated different cultures and perspectives while promoting mutual respect among all students regardless of their background or beliefs.

5.Community Engagement & Collaboration:
Beyond his role as a teacher, Mr.Hurtado actively participated in various community initiatives aimed at improving education standards within Brentwood schools.He collaborated with local organizations to create opportunities for underprivileged youth while also organizing events that brought together families from diverse backgrounds.

It is disheartening to witness the removal of such an exceptional educator who has consistently demonstrated his commitment to our community’s educational growth. We firmly believe that reinstating Mr. Hurtado will not only benefit current and future students but also contribute to the overall success and reputation of Brentwood High School.

We kindly request the school district administration, including the Board of Education, to review their decision and reinstate Mr. Hurtado as a teacher at Heritage High School. Together, let us ensure that our students continue receiving the quality education they deserve from a passionate and dedicated educator like Mr.Hurtado.

UPDATE – The petition was closed Friday night with 104 signatures while stating “Yall idk anymore about this after today….”

Recent Incidents on School Grounds

• Aug 30 – Liberty High School Student Arrested With Replica Firearm on Campus
• Aug 28 – Woman With Knife on Oakley Campus Had Stay Away Order at Antioch School District
• Aug 7 – Kindergartner Brings Knife to Elementary School in Oakley