Plano ISD continues to downplay its involvement in the persecution and harassment of three moms. In a quest to control a school booster club and its funds, the district created a new booster club with the same name, led the new club’s members to the bank to seize the original club’s funds, and went as far as to have the moms arrested.
The school district released a public statement last week responding to multiple controversies in which it is involved.
In recent months, the district has been named a defendant in two federal lawsuits concerning newly passed laws, has faced allegations of antisemitism prompting an investigation by Attorney General Ken Paxton, and dealt with a booster club legal matter.
The Prosecution
Plano ISD’s response to the booster club controversy focused on the fact that Plano ISD was not named as a party in the adjacent legal proceeding.
“Plano ISD was not a party to recent legal proceedings involving former Jasper High School Choir Booster Club officers,” reads the statement. “Plano ISD did not file any suit against the former booster club-these proceedings were strictly between the current booster organization and the previously disbanded group.”
While Plano ISD was not a party to the lawsuit, court testimony suggests the district was involved in bringing the prosecution. This came when Scott Palmer, attorney for the original booster club, questioned Sommer Ludwig, who was named president of the new booster club.
Palmer asked Ludwig if she was the one who initiated the prosecution.
“I did, in partnership with the [Plano ISD],” Ludwig responded.
When Palmer pressed her further on this topic, Ludwig appeared to walk back her original statement.
“They, they assisted me. We had conversations. But I initiated the complaint,” said Ludwig.
Plano ISD’s involvement in the events leading up to the prosecution is also well documented.
Dr. Phillip Morgan is the director of fine arts for Plano ISD. Dr. Morgan testified that he helped elect the new booster club board members “under the direction of the School District Administration,” without the knowledge or consent of the original booster club members.
In his testimony, Dr. Morgan also admitted to personally escorting the new booster club members to Prosperity Bank to change the signatories on the original booster club’s bank account. The bank initially complied, then became concerned that the transaction was fraudulent.
The original booster club members were subsequently notified by the bank, and bank attorneys determined that the original booster club members were the rightful owners of the funds. The moms took the money to a new bank for security purposes.
The Court Order
As previously reported by Texas Scorecard, Plano PD then froze the booster club’s bank account and seized the remaining $4,437.39 in August 2024.
Once the original booster club’s officers were cleared by the grand jury and the charges against them were dropped, the original club was taken to Plano Municipal Court to determine who had the superior right to the funds.
On June 2, 2025, Judge McNulty released his decision in the form of a magistrate’s order. Plano ISD summarized the court order in its statement.
“Through the legal process, $4,437.39 of the approximately $20,000 originally raised was recovered and, per judicial order, was returned, via the district, to be given back to the current Jasper Choir Booster Club for the direct benefit of Jasper High School student choir members,” said Plano ISD.
However, this conflicts with the written text of McNulty’s order, which did not mention the new booster club:
“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Plano Police Department shall deliver the Property … to the Plano Independent School District by and through Superintendent, Dr. Theresa Williams in her capacity as Superintendent directly or through her duly appointed designee to be held in trust by the Plano Independent School District solely for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the Jasper High School Student Choir.”
According to the order, the money was required to be held by the school district to be used for the direct benefit of the choir.
Nonetheless, Plano ISD explicitly stated that they had instead handed the money over to the new booster club.
“These funds were never part of district accounts and remaining funds will be used by the booster club in accordance with their original purpose,” said the statement.
Plano ISD’s statement provided a link to Judge McNulty’s order, despite the discrepancy.
Palmer told Texas Scorecard what could happen to a party that disobeys a magistrate’s order.
“When any party violates a court order, the penalty is usually contempt of court,” said Palmer.
“The court order was specific that it was not awarding the property to either group claiming to be the rightful booster club,” he continued. “The money was awarded to PISD for the benefit of the student choir.”
Cleaning Up the Mess
On September 3, Plano ISD released another statement, addressing the need for transparency and trust between parents and the district.
“In a world where social media can sometimes spread misinformation or incomplete stories, it is more important than ever to stay grounded in truth and facts from the direct source,” reads the statement.
“We believe that healthy communication is not only about solving problems but also about building trust,” the statement continues. “By focusing on facts, using our official channels and engaging with one another directly, we can ensure that our shared focus remains on supporting every student’s growth, achievement and success.”
Plano ISD did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s request for comment in time for publication.
If you or anyone you know has information regarding judicial malfeasance, please contact our tip line: scorecardtips@protonmail.com.
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