James Whitfield said he will take the school district up on its offer to hold a hearing to determine if he'll keep his job.
Whitfield was placed on leave on Aug. 30, a little over a month after a former school board candidate said Whitfield was promoting critical race theory (CRT). Whitfield is the first Black principal atColleyville Heritage High School.
Part of the criticism centers around a letter Whitfield wrote following the murder of George Floyd, in which he called on district families to fight against racism.
The school district has denied that CRT had anything to do with Whitfield being placed on leave. On Monday night, school officials detailed a long list of reasons why the superintendent recommended not to renew Whitfield's contract, including deficiencies in his employee evaluations and insubordination.
Whitfield said there wasn't a big problem until the board meeting where he was accused of promoting CRT.
"Prior to July 26, when they allowed what they allowed right here, the things that we mentioned 鈥� that wasn't the conversation we were having," he told reporters Monday.
More than 30 community members asked the board to support Whitfield at Monday's meeting.
Rafa Merland-Roa, a sophomore at Colleyville Heritage, addressed her remarks to the parents who don鈥檛 interact with Whitfield the way students do.
鈥淒id you know that every pep rally, he starts with 鈥榊ou are kind, you are beautiful, you are loved鈥�?鈥� she asked. "Did you know that he makes an effort with each individual student, makes handshakes and makes sure [he knows] their name? Do you know he makes sure that you鈥檙e OK physically and mentally?鈥�
Whitfield鈥檚 attorney said trustees denied his request to have his own time to address them. So Whitfield took his one minute at the podium with the rest of the speakers.
鈥淚 have not changed,鈥� Whitfield said. 鈥淚鈥檓 still the same man today as when you hired me in 鈥�18-19, when you promoted me twice in three years."
He also defended his efforts to make sure all students, regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation, have access to 鈥渆xcellent, equitable education.鈥�
鈥淵es, I said those words," Whitfield said. "Unfortunately, my unapologetic stance for those things have brought us here tonight.鈥�
He has 15 days to appeal Monday's decision and request a hearing.
Got a tip? Email Miranda Suarez at msuarez@kera.org. You can follow Miranda on Twitter .
四虎影院 is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider . Thank you.
