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Teacher who was Criminally Charged
Loses Bid to Overturn Contract Nonrenewal
Ruling: An ISD took the proper steps in nonrenewing an elementary teacher/coach following his arrest on charges that he had inappropriately touched three second grade female students. Ricardo Garza v. La Joya ISD, No. 046-R1-06-2022. Signed Aug. 17 by Education Commissioner Mike Morath.

The commissioner rejected Garza’s various claims seeking reversal of the school board’s nonrenewal of his term contract.

The commissioner rejected, for instance, Garza’s claim that evidence gathered against him by the district’s police chief in a criminal investigation was improperly used by the district’s administration and board in making a policy determination to nonrenew his contract.

The record reflects that as of the time the board voted to propose nonrenewal, Garza was on paid leave after having been arrested and charged with five counts of indecency with a child and sexual contact.