Conservative to control Lancaster ISD after TEA says board violated Texas Education Code

Texas Educational Agency appoints a conservator to oversee Lancaster Independent School District for actions taken by the school board that the district found violated the Texas Education Code and the Texas Constitution.

TEM Commissioner Mike Morath informed the county of the appointment of Dr. Carol François as a Conservative in a Feb. 2 letter received by NBC 5 on Friday.

The TEA stated that the appointment of a conservator to oversee the district is “necessary to prevent substantial or imminent harm to the welfare of the district’s students or the public interest.”

In a statement posted online District employees, families, and the community have been approached by the Lancaster ISD for the appointment of a conservator and informed that they have received the agency’s final report and recommendations from the agency’s special investigation.

Lancaster ISD said the investigation centered around two allegations of actions taken by the board of trustees beginning October 29, 2020. The first, according to the district, “is that the Lancaster ISD board of trustees has approved a new contract for the Superintendent of Schools. , Dr. Elijah Granger, and 11 days later approved the separation agreement with the Superintendent.”

The county said the second charge was found to be unfounded.

As Conservative, François would oversee the actions of the district and the board; Facilitate a needs assessment for district and campus systems to support the development of a corrective action plan; request or conduct on-site inspections during the accommodation period; monitor and maintain the implementation of the corrective action plan; and participate in and report to TEA on the progress of the corrective action plan and all district management activities.

“This appointment will ensure that the school district is respected and will help the current Lancaster ISD Board of Trustees to work with and for the benefit of Lancaster ISD students,” the district said in a letter. “Furthermore, since the focus of the investigation is centered around the actions of the board of directors, the conservator will report to TEA on the board’s development of a corrective action plan to address non-compliance issues identified during the investigation.”

The TEA stated that the appointment of a conservator does not relieve the county and the board of their responsibility to administer the county in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The county will also be required to pay $85 an hour for conservator services plus any travel expenses up to the state per diem rate.

The county was given until February 17 to appeal TEA’s decision and appointment, but no appeal was filed.

“Over the past two years, we have been hard at work making positive and sustainable change. We thank the Texas Education Agency for their due diligence in conducting a thorough investigation, and we take the appointment of a conservative seriously,” said President Lancaster ISD. Marion Hamilton said. “As a collective council, we are committed to working with the conservative and developing a comprehensive corrective action plan to prevent our county from returning to non-compliance status. As elected officials, we must do what is best for our students and staff. Lancaster ISD. They will continue to be our driving force as we work to achieve compliance status, restore trust, and focus on the future of our county.”

A public meeting scheduled for Feb. 21 to notify the public of the investigation and next steps has been canceled by the county due to internet outages and connectivity issues. The county said they would let you know when and if the meeting was rescheduled.

The TEA said that such a meeting is not required, it is unclear whether it will be rescheduled.

“The information provided will focus on the underperformance of the county, which began in October 2020, and the improvements expected by TEA in connection with the special investigation, which began in December 2020.”

The County invites anyone with questions or concerns to email [email protected]. To view TEA Special Investigation Final Investigation Report, click on ite.