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By Talia Richman | Dallas Morning News
Grand Prairie’s new superintendent was placed on administrative leave Wednesday, just weeks into his tenure.
Trustees voted 5-2 during a special meeting to place Superintendent Jorge L. Arredondo on paid administrative leave, effective immediately. No reason was given except to protect the district and Arredondo, trustees said.
A district spokesman declined to provide additional comment.
“Because this is an ongoing investigation, there will be no additional comment from this board,” trustee president Amber Moffitt said in a statement. “We believe all parties will be treated fairly with a high level of professionalism by the outside third-party law firm that is conducting the investigation.”
Deputy Superintendent of Business Operations Tracy Ray will serve as acting superintendent.
While trustees had little discussion — and provided no public details — about the scope of the investigation, one board member expressed concern that the probe was political.
“I believe we need more substance in this investigation. I believe this seems like a witch hunt and driven by political motives,” said trustee David Espinosa, who voted against the decision.
Reached by phone on Thursday, Espinosa emphasized that he doesn’t think Arredondo did anything wrong.
“He’s a new superintendent with experience, and some people don’t like change,” he said. Trustees unanimously approved hiring Arredondo in June.
Arredondo joined the roughly 27,000-student district after previously leading Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD. He has spent more than two decades in public education.
