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By Talia Richman | Dallas Morning News (TNS)
The Grand Prairie school board can’t terminate the superintendent after a Dallas County judge granted a temporary restraining order blocking an immediate decision on his future with the district.
Superintendent Jorge L. Arredondo, sued the trustees ahead of a scheduled Thursday meeting during which they were expected to discuss his employment. Arredondo previously served as superintendent at the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, a position he left in November 2022.
The drama surrounding Arredondo’s employment in Grand Prairie has roiled the roughly 27,000-student district, with rumors swirling on social media and trustees providing few details. He referred to the school board members’ efforts to investigate him as a “witch hunt,” according to the lawsuit.
The restraining order issued Monday prevents the seven-member board from taking immediate action to fire Arredondo.
Arredondo, a Hispanic man, went on administrative leave Sept. 4, just weeks into his tenure. He was hired under a three-year contract. He started the job July 1.
Arredondo’s lawsuit alleges he “almost immediately faced resistance and interference” from trustees. It states that some trustees questioned the superintendent’s decisions regarding the reassignment of principals and the allocation of resources.
Some trustees “made disparaging and discriminatory remarks about Plaintiff’s race, national origin, and language, including implying that Plaintiff was favoring Hispanic students and staff over other groups which was demonstrably not true,” the lawsuit alleges.
A district spokesman did not immediately respond to a call and email requesting comment.
The petition, filed in Dallas County District Court, argues Arredondo was placed on administrative leave without explanation or an opportunity to respond to allegations against him.
“He hasn’t had the opportunity to fairly defend himself,” his lawyer Mary Nix said.
The trustees’ moves violate his rights under his contract, which sets conditions for termination, according to the lawsuit.
“I am deeply committed to the students, staff, and community of Grand Prairie ISD,” Arredondo said in a statement. “It is essential that we uphold the principles of fairness and due process to maintain the integrity of our educational system and return our collective focus to providing exceptional educational opportunities for every student.”
Earlier this month, trustees voted on a vague motion to “move forward” with actions discussed in closed session related to Arredondo and policy violations.
The policy that trustees cited is related to discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Community members asked the board for transparency.
“This whole process has been driven by policy, and what the policy states,” trustee president Amber Moffitt said during the meeting. “I’m going to continue to stand on what policy states and making decisions on what’s best for kids, our staff and the community.”
Other board members criticized rumors spreading on social media about Arredondo.
“His professional repetition has been damaged by these allegations, and in my opinion, he’s not been afforded the opportunity to respond to these allegations,” trustee Gloria Carrillo said during the meeting.
She asked the board to reinstate Arredondo and allow him to do the job they unanimously hired him to do.
Trustee Emily Liles defended the board’s process and decision.
“When there’s a violation of policy — and in subsequent investigation that shows a violation of the policy — you take action, and you would expect that,” she said during the meeting.
The lawsuit notes that Arredondo wasn’t given sufficient details about any alleged complaint nor a fair opportunity to respond.
Arredondo wasn’t provided with a written statement explaining why he was suspended, according to court documents.
