James Whitfield: Grapevine Colleyville school board proposes the non-renewal of a contract for a principal accused of promoting critical race theory
James Whitfield, principal of Colleyville Heritage Excessive Faculty within the Dallas-Fort Price space, was positioned on paid administrative depart in late August, a month after a former college board candidate publicly accused him of getting “excessive views on race” and referred to as for him to be fired.
The vote Monday evening is a procedural step and doesn’t terminate Whitfield’s contract for the 2022-23 college yr, Grapevine Colleyville Unbiased Faculty District Government Director of Human Sources Gema Padgett mentioned. Subsequent, Whitfield will obtain a letter with particulars of the grounds and he can have a possibility to current proof and testimony, she mentioned.
The controversy at the highschool and round Whitfield comes as plenty of mother and father and neighborhood members throughout the state have urged that vital race idea not be taught in faculties.
Over the previous yr, vital race idea has sparked heated discussions and protests in school board conferences in addition to amongst lawmakers who say it ought to be banned from being taught in school rooms.
At a July 26 college board assembly, Stetson Clark, a former college board candidate, mentioned he was involved concerning the “implementation of vital race idea in our district” and named Whitfield as somebody with “excessive views on race.”
“Due to his excessive views, I ask {that a} full evaluation of Mr. Whitfield’s tenure in our district be examined and that his contract be terminated efficient instantly,” Clark mentioned within the assembly, citing a letter he mentioned a pal shared that Whitfield despatched to folks and college students final yr — which Clark claims confirmed the principal “promotes a conspiracy idea of systemic racism.”
At Monday’s assembly, at which a number of mother and father spoke out in favor of Whitfield, the board introduced causes for the proposed non-renewal.
“As this has performed out within the media as a racial challenge, many individuals have been harm and confused and for that purpose, I’ll say this clearly: this advice is just not about Dr. Whitfield’s race. It isn’t about footage of Dr. Whitfield. It isn’t about vital race idea. It isn’t about sure people in our neighborhood calling for his resignation or his firing,” mentioned GCISD Superintendent Robin Ryan.
A few of the causes that had been cited by the board included deficiencies identified in statement studies, value determinations or evaluations, and failing to adjust to board or administrative laws.
Whitfield’s lawyer David Henderson informed CNN that the board was holding again on sharing info; “So every thing they’ve given us to date is incomplete, together with the data that they gave us final evening,” he mentioned.
“My major response to what they mentioned immediately is the belief that we’re going to need to get into a proper course of the place we get to ask for extra info that’s supporting their selections earlier than we all know absolutely how we have to reply,” Henderson mentioned.
Earlier than the vote, Whitfield supplied one other rationalization to what introduced on the vote: his unapologetic stance on equality.
“I stand earlier than you immediately no totally different than I used to be once I got here in 18-19. I’m an advocate for all youngsters. I imagine each pupil, no matter race, faith, sexual orientation, no matter bucket you wish to put them in, I imagine all of them ought to have entry to wonderful, equitable schooling. Sure, I mentioned these phrases,” he mentioned.
“The assault from folks outdoors is one factor, however the outright silence and direct actions taken in the direction of me by GCISD management crew…was completely heartbreaking.”
CNN’s Nicole Chavez contributed to this report.