Commissioner's Decisions

The following decisions were signed by Education Commissioner Mike Morath.

In Nonrenewing Teacher’s Term Contract
Commissioner Finds no Conflict of Interest
Over Choice of ISD’s Lawyer as “Hearing Officer”
Ruling: It was okay for an attorney from an ISD’s law firm to serve as the “hearing officer” during a teacher’s nonrenewal hearing before her school board, even if the attorney had previously advocated for the district in settlement negotiations with the teacher. Mary Hernandez v. Arlington ISD, No. 024-R1-12-2019. Signed Jan. 27.
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Ex-Assistant Principal Loses Two Decisions
Over Nonrenewal and Assault Leave Grievances
Ruling: Appeals by a former assistant principal over his contract nonrenewal due to what he said were false unreasonable use-of-force claims — and his claim he was improperly denied assault leave — are dismissed. Thomas D. Bouknight v. Spring ISD, Nos. 001-R2-09-2019 (Nov. 4, 2019) and 003-R10-09-2019 (Jan. 27, 2020). available here
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Parents Can’t Force ISD to Put Twins in Same Class
Ruling: An appeal by parents of twins who sought to override the principal’s decision to put the twins in different classrooms is dismissed. Parents v. Lago Vista ISD, No. 009-R10-10-2019. Signed Jan. 27.
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