Grapevine-Colleyville school board takes no action at meeting

Grapevine-Colleyville school board members did not take action during a meeting Monday, scheduled after a school board member revealed reasons why a principal was fired. District spokesperson Nicole Lyons said in an email to the Star-Telegram that the school board went into an executive session and adjourned at around 9:30 a.m without taking action. The meetings are usually broadcast live on the district’s YouTube channel, and Lyons said a recording will be available as soon as possible. Newly elected board member Tammy Nakamura, who attended a June 26 school board panel discussion sponsored by the Republican National Committee, told the gathering that former Colleyville Heritage High School principal James Whitfield was fired because of his activism which was the “straw that broke the camel’s back ... that got him fired.”.

She also said that there were certain teachers who should also be removed from the classroom because they are “poison.” The meeting agenda did not name Nakamura but an executive session listing stated, “to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline or dismissal of a public officer or employee or to hear complaints or charges against a public officer or employee.” The Star-Telegram obtained cellphone video that showed audience members calling for Nakamura’s resignation. Whitfield, who was accused of promoting critical race theory, is on administrative leave until his resignation takes effect next year as part of a settlement agreement with the school district. As part of the settlement, Whitfield and the district agreed to resolve their disputes and not make any additional public statements. During the June 26 discussion, Nakamura told the audience that they have to stand up to those “pushing an agenda.” She also mentioned how most teachers are “wonderful” but there are a few who must be removed from the classroom. “We cannot have teachers such as these in our schools because they are just poison, and they’re taking our schools down,” she said.