UPDATED August 13 to include confirmation that the Texas Education Agency is investigating Plano ISD.
Federal officials are joining local families’ calls to stop a growing tide of anti-semitism within Plano schools.
U.S Rep. Keith Self (R–McKinney), whose congressional district includes Plano Independent School District, sent a letter to Board President Lauren Tyra demanding that Plano ISD take “swift action to eradicate the scourge of antisemitism in our schools, as reports of this hateful behavior surface across numerous campuses.”
“This hateful ideology has no place in America,” Self posted to social media on Friday, along with a copy of the letter.
The letter, co-signed by U.S. Rep. Pat Fallon (R–Frisco), notes that reports of anti-semitism “have become increasingly common within the district.”
“We have become aware of numerous instances of antisemitic behavior by students, teachers, within the approved curriculum, and in at least one instance, by the school administration itself,” states the letter. “It appears that each instance has been treated as a one-off event, but this isn’t the case.”
According to the letter, antisemitic incidents have been reported at all three of the district’s senior high schools, five of the six high schools, five middle schools, and three elementary schools.
Self stated that many of the antisemitic actions center around wearing a keffiyeh, which has become a political statement showing support for pro-Palestinian groups including Hamas. Such attire runs afoul of the dress code in Plano ISD’s student handbook and code of conduct.
Self’s letter also cites several reported instances of instructors presenting materials that can be considered non-neutral and “insisting that students take a pro-Palestinian viewpoint as the correct response.”
Administrators have claimed that the materials were not “approved,” but Self notes school administrators have a duty to verify that only approved curriculum is being taught.
In addition to curriculum, Self noted that Plano ISD permitted pro-Palestinian walkouts and provided students who participated with “excused” absences.
“Despite these reported cases, as recently as the August 5, 2025, meeting of the ISD Board, the district refuses to acknowledge the issue,” wrote Self.
Cody Weaver, a former Plano ISD trustee, has been sounding the alarm on behalf of Jewish families in the district.
Weaver issued a statement ahead of the August 5 school board meeting, calling the rising tide of antisemitic behavior in Plano ISD a “growing crisis” and a “systemic failure” that is putting Jewish students at risk.
According to Weaver, Plano ISD is under investigation by both the Texas Education Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice regarding allegations of systemic antisemitism.
Responding to Weaver’s comments during the August 5 meeting, Superintendent Theresa Williams stated, “As of today, in conversation with our representative that works for our firm, there is no acknowledgement of an investigation by either of those agencies.”
TEA spokesman Jake Kobersky confirmed to Texas Scorecard on August 12 that the agency is investigating the allegations against the district.
“Teachers, emboldened by a lack of oversight, have been promoting anti-Zionist rhetoric and injecting bias into controversial topics, often in favor of genocidal regimes,” wrote Weaver. “Worst of all, the Plano ISD District Leadership, Board of Trustees, and campus administration are fully aware of these issues but have failed to take meaningful action to address them.”
Weaver also started an email campaign calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to intervene and ensure Jewish students receive equal protection under the law.
“Plano ISD has repeatedly failed to address escalating antisemitic abuse, harassment, and intimidation of Jewish students—including allowing organized political walkouts, classroom disruptions, and hate-filled rhetoric without meaningful consequences,” Weaver posted to social media. “As detailed in the joint letter from Congressman Pat Fallon and Congressman Keith Self, this inaction emboldens perpetrators, violates state and federal civil rights protections, and fosters a hostile learning environment.”
Self and Fallon posed three questions to Plano ISD’s elected trustees:
- Will the district enforce its own policies against hateful behavior?
- How will the district enforce violations of its dress code by students and staff?
- What steps is the district taking to ensure instructors are not presenting material outside the bounds of the approved curriculum?
Plano ISD families can address questions and concerns to school board members.
The next school board meeting will be a workshop held on August 19. Trustees are expected to discuss a controversial proposal to eliminate public comments during board meetings unless they pertain to a specific agenda item.
Plano ISD’s next regular school board meeting is scheduled for September 9.
