Following months of concerns raised privately and publicly about teacher Bradley Strickland’s past sexual misconduct with a student, Sherman Independent School District officials finally announced that the educator had resigned.
But parents continue to question why Sherman ISD hired Strickland in the first place. They also wonder why district officials waited two weeks to tell the community he was gone.
The district hired Strickland to work at Sherman Middle School at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year—despite knowing he resigned from Tioga ISD in 2023 over allegations of grooming a female student, which resulted in a reprimand on his Texas educator certificate.
Just before a school board meeting Monday night, Sherman ISD alerted two local news outlets that Strickland had resigned and had not been on campus since April 7.
Reports by KTEN and KXII included a school official’s statement that there was “no evidence of wrongdoing by Strickland” while he was employed with Sherman ISD. Both reports also noted “concerns” raised about the teacher, but failed to explain the reasons for those concerns.
“Thank you for listening and taking action,” Mary Alexander told Sherman ISD trustees during Monday’s meeting. “However, a personal follow-up would have been appreciated.”
Alexander is the mother of the girl groomed by Strickland when she was a student at Tioga High School.
She and other advocates previously aired their concerns about Strickland during Sherman ISD’s February 23 and March 30 school board meetings and called for his removal. They’d also tried contacting school officials about his status after hearing he had not been in class.
Alexander and others showed up again to speak at the April 20 meeting.
They told trustees that Strickland’s resignation does not diminish the need for more accountability in future hirings and more transparency about issues involving student safety.
“It was an unfortunate and avoidable situation,” said Alexander, noting that some Sherman families had removed their children from Strickland’s class after learning about his troubling past from other parents.
“Strickland should not have been hired in the first place,” she said. “I ask you to exercise better decision-making with future hires and to not allow personal relationships to influence you.”
I am continuing my complaint with the TEA and I’m working with legislators and other activist groups so that no known groomer, including Brad Strickland, is ever allowed in another classroom.
I am committed, personally, to stop the trash from being passed. I’m also committed to outing corrupt ISD administrators and board members. Josh Ballinger, superintendent at Tioga and longtime friend of Brad Strickland, take note.
A request for information about Strickland’s hiring, submitted to Sherman ISD in January by education reform advocate Ami Glover, revealed Superintendent Ballinger had provided a very favorable reference for his friend and former employee that included the comment “Brad is a great teacher. He is at no fault for his reprimand.”
Ballinger told Glover in February that Sherman ISD had not requested a reference for Strickland from Tioga ISD.
Tioga High School Principal Keith Kirkland also provided Strickland with a highly favorable reference. Sherman ISD provided the documents on April 10 after seeking permission from the state to withhold them.
Callie McDonald, a local mom and school sexual abuse survivor who now advocates for others, also spoke to trustees Monday night.
She noted a number of connections between the now-former student Strickland groomed, who has stayed in contact with the teacher; her husband, Grayson County District Attorney Kermit Hill; and two current school board members, Paul Manley and Brad Morgan.
McDonald asked trustees if these relationships had influenced Sherman ISD’s decision to employ Strickland despite the reprimand on his teaching certificate. “The district has chosen silence, so nobody really knows the answer.”
She added that ignoring Strickland’s past misconduct could expose the district to liability for any grooming behavior he engaged in while at Sherman ISD. A new state law removes immunity in cases of sexual abuse enabled by gross negligence, allowing students to sue school districts for up to $500,000.
Sherman mom Sarah Shaw told trustees important questions remain about how the situation with Strickland was evaluated and what it means for student safety moving forward.
“I also want to address something that is deeply concerning to many in this community, which is the lack of response from the district and the board as these questions have been raised,” she said.
When families and community members bring forward concerns about student safety and receive little or no acknowledgement or become blocked on social media, it undermines trust and creates the perception that these issues are not being taken seriously. When people go to the school through the proper channels, the calls go straight to voicemail, emails are never returned, and there’s no resolution.
“Open communication is essential in maintaining public confidence,” said Shaw.
“This is about trust, and trust is not built through silence,” added Destiny Dougherty.
Alexander said her focus is on fighting for what’s right for students.
“I urge all parents and concerned citizens to stay aware of what goes on in your community, in your schools… ask questions, get involved, protect your kids.”
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