After facing public backlash, Fort Worth ISD is reassigning a controversial new principal.
The district recently announced Shayma Alzubi as the new principal of Western Hills High School.
According to local reporting by conservative activist Carlos Turcios, Alzubi has shared pro-Palestinian content and reposted material defending what Sharia law “actually means” to Muslims.
Alzubi has also expressed support for mask mandates and Black Lives Matter, positions that many families in the district oppose.
In response to an inquiry about Alzubi’s posts, a spokesperson for Fort Worth ISD told Texas Scorecard:
Today, May 26th, Fort Worth ISD was made aware of multiple social media posts from the past by a finalist for a principal position in the district. After review, it was determined that the posts may not align with the district’s social media policy and expectations for staff. Therefore, the candidate will be reassigned pending the outcome of an investigation. As such, the district will not comment further on an open investigation.
This controversy comes at a time when Fort Worth ISD is under direct state oversight.
Earlier this year, the Texas Education Agency installed a board of managers to run the district, and TEA Deputy Commissioner of School Governance Steve Lecholop now has authority over Fort Worth ISD’s governance and leadership decisions.
Critics said the appointment calls into question how thoroughly TEA and the district are vetting principals for adherence to Texas’ standards and values.
In response to public outrage, members of the State Board of Education urged the state to step in.
SBOE Member Julie Pickren announced she is calling on TEA to investigate Shayma Alzubi for potential violations of the Texas Code of Ethics for Administrators.
SBOE Member Brandon Hall struck a more measured tone, saying he is “very confident it will be resolved.”
His comments suggest that, at minimum, increased scrutiny is coming for both the district and TEA over the decision to place Alzubi in charge of Western Hills High School.
The district spokesperson added that “Fort Worth ISD is in full compliance with state law and per statute TEC 28.0022, FWISD administration ensures that all issues of public policy or social affairs be explored objectively and in a manner free from political bias. Our district leaders, educators and staff will not inject personal political perspectives into classrooms.”
“Fort Worth ISD serves a wide array of families and students that are civically engaged and maintain a variety of perspectives,” they added. “As a taxpayer funded entity, we will remain focused on our mission of providing a high quality education for all students.”
A TEA spokesperson told Texas Scorecard, “Staffing decisions are local in nature and managed at the district level. However, TEA has been made aware of the situation and is also in receipt of a complaint. The agency is processing the complaint and TEA’s Educator Investigations Division has launched a preliminary review of the matter.”
