An unnamed staff member is on leave from Wylie East High School for allowing unauthorized distribution of Islamic materials on campus as part of a “World Hijab Day” event hosted by the school’s Muslim Student Association.
On Monday, a group called Why Islam? set up a table in a common area inside the school during lunch time and was handing out copies of the Quran and pamphlets on “Understanding Shariah,” as well as offering hijabs to female students.
Wylie Independent School District responded Tuesday, telling Wylie East families that administrators had only learned about the event via a social media post on Monday night and confirming that “district protocols” were not followed with regard to student clubs or distribution of materials.
The district did not identify the club on Tuesday, but the school’s Muslim Student Association had advertised the on-campus World Hijab Day event. One of the club’s stated goals of the event was to “give dawah to non-Muslims about Islam.”
Superintendent Kim Spicer sent an update Wednesday, clarifying that while communications about the breach are being directed to Wylie East families, they have come from Wylie ISD. “This is a district-led investigation into a campus-level incident,” she wrote.
Spicer stated that district officials had “reviewed security footage and gathered staff accounts.”
The visitors entered through the front office and followed standard check-in procedures. They presented identification, stated they were visiting a student club, and were processed through the Raptor screening system. They were issued visitor badges and escorted by a staff member to set up a table in the main hallway outside the cafeteria during lunch. The staff member did not confirm the purpose of the visit or verify that the required guest speaker approval process had been completed.
“As a result, the staff member was placed on leave yesterday while our Human Resources team conducts a full investigation,” stated Spicer. “Additional disciplinary action may follow based on the outcome of that review.”
The unnamed staff member is believed to be a school administrator. The school’s website shows no staff sponsor for the MSA.
According to Spicer, women representing Why Islam? and MSA club members set up their table and offered passing students candy, Why Islam?-branded bags, hijabs, “Understanding Shariah” pamphlets, and copies of the Quran.
“Visitors did not actively hand out materials, but offered a bag to students who chose to take items,” she said.
Spicer stated that fewer than 50 students visited the table, fewer than 10 students voluntarily picked up handouts, and about a dozen tried on scarves or hijabs—with some having their photos taken wearing the traditional Muslim headdress.
“These materials were not reviewed nor approved in advance,” stated Spicer. “Wylie ISD does not allow the distribution of any religious materials to students, regardless of the group or message. This is a clear violation of board policy, and we regret and share in the frustration that this occurred.”
It’s unclear whether the district considers hijabs as “religious materials.”
The school’s Muslim Student Association also set up a World Hijab Day table on campus last year. Wylie East Principal Tiffany Doolan posted photos of the table on Instagram, including one of herself wearing a hijab with the caption “I LOVED this experience!”
However, last year’s table did not appear to include any literature.
Spicer stated that “more updates will come, but I want to assure you that this is not being brushed aside. We are working to ensure our systems better reflect families’ expectations for transparency and student safety.”
I want to say plainly that I am deeply disappointed and frustrated that this situation occurred. Public schools are not the place for promoting personal belief systems or outside agendas. They are spaces where students should feel safe, supported, and focused on learning, building relationships with peers, and preparing for life after high school.
“When our systems fail, we must own that and take steps to prevent it from happening again. We let you down, and I am sorry,” Spicer concluded.
Concerned families can contact the superintendent and/or school board trustees.
The next Wylie ISD school board meeting is set for February 17 at 7:00 p.m., with a public forum scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m.
