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Dallas ISD Board Votes To Fire Two Principals, Numerous Teachers

Stella M. Chávez
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Seven of the nine Dallas school board trustees voted to terminate the principals of Madison and Roosevelt high schools Thursday night.

The decision follows months of speculation and disagreement over Superintendent Mike Miles’s controversial plan to improve low-performing schools.

Trustees Carla Ranger and Bernadette Nutall cast the two dissenting votes.

Numerous speakers, including former Dallas Councilwoman Diane Ragsdale, pleaded with the board before the vote.

“Give these principals at least one year to meet the standards of a new principal evaluation," Ragsdale said. "The process has been unfair on all levels. The time frame to implement the new process too short. Due process does not exist under Superintendent Miles."

The board’s decision also affects a number of teachers whose contracts won’t be renewed. DISD officials, however, wouldn’t confirm how many teachers won’t be returning in the fall.

LULAC’s Rene Martinez said he was pleased with the board’s decision.

“This was a system and a process that showed accountability, transparency and one that’s going to evaluate people on campuses that they’re going to be more effective,” he said.

DISD officials say the principals and teachers on the termination list have 15 days to request a due process hearing.

Stella M. Chávez is an investigative reporter for The Texas Newsroom, a collaboration between NPR and member stations around the state. She's based at in Dallas and is currently reporting on how state government is working with federal agencies on immigration enforcement and border security.