By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, Stand with us in our mission to discover and uncover the story of North Texas, Colleyville Heritage principal accused of teaching critical race theory put on paid leave, the principal and a crowd of supporters attended a school board meeting, multiple sources in the district have said, an incident in which a school administrator asked Whitfield to remove a photo of him and his wife, who is white, After call for his firing, Colleyville Heritage principal speaks about critical race theory claims, What we know after 3 children killed, 2 wounded at Ellis County home, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones defers comment on revival of sexual harassment lawsuit. Dr. James Whitfield has been promoted several times in the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD system. The titles in the list range from children's books and anti-bullying tips to novels that discuss racism and sexuality. And it has nearly ruined their lives. They said, Could you take it down? EVEN THOUGH LEWIS HAD PULLED BRYAN out of school, he was still getting hassled. COLLEYVILLE, Texas The embattled principal of Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to learn his employment fate this coming Monday. "I chalk it up to educators are held to a different standard, unfortunately. It read nandrolone decanoate.. No one from the school called her. Greg Abbott has called for it to be abolished in Texas schools. It was from the Grapevine-Colleyville school district. His resignation won't be official. In GCISD, we calculate 3 different GPAs following the conclusion of each semester. Copyright 2023, D Magazine Partners, Inc. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Let your love shine so brightly & your positive voice be so loud that it drowns out the noise. "They said, 'Could you take it down? You may need to show identification if this was not done at walk-thru. "They did not feel there was a problem that we needed to look into," Rogers said. Kids had easy access to steroids, athletes were using them, and high school administrators were in denial. Catherine Marfin, Breaking News Reporter. Thank you for spreading love! Show us with your support. COLLEYVILLE - Nine Colleyville Heritage High School students involved in football and other athletics have admitted to using steroids, district officials said Friday. "The only mention we make is a warning on health effects on our Web site," she said. Its a smart school, too, well above state and national averages in students ACT and SAT scores. Then she reached inside and took hold of the vial. Bryan sat across from them, Lewis next to him. Devin Bryant, a senior at Covenant Christian Academy in Colleyville, says he was expelled for being gay and "evil." Principal Tommy Jeffrey doubles down on his decision, calls LGBTQ lifestyle non . But he said trouble began as far back as 2019 when someone complained to administrators he was setting a "bad example" by posting pictures of himself kissing his wife on Facebook. Public school 1,974 Students Grades 9-12. August 30, 2021 / 5:42 PM They were identified merely as the athlete and his mother.. We remain committed to providing a learning environment at Colleyville Heritage that fosters and encourages student academic and extracurricular achievement," Grapevine-Colleyville ISD said in a news release. / CBS Texas, UPDATE: Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Releases New Statement On Decision To Put Principal James Whitfield On Paid Administrative Leave. About 20 showed up to the second meeting. ", "Nothing he's done has anything to do with critical race theory," said civil rights attorney David Henderson ofEllwanger Law, which is supporting Whitfield. Why should my kid be drug-tested just because you cant control yours?. Now, GOP lawmakers have turned their attention to what books children have access to in schools. Welcome to the Colleyville Heritage PTSA Facebook Page intended to keep our parents, teachers, and students current on upcoming events and opportunities CHHS PTA is a noncommercial, nonsectarian, nonpartisan association that does not endorse any candidate or political party. As a new campus principal, we wanted to provide a smooth transition for Dr. Whitfield to Heritage Middle School, which is why we advised him of the concern and made a request for the photos to be taken down from Facebook.". She asked the druggist to decipher the label for her. If a student must be absent from school a parent should call or email the school Attendance Office, the day of the absence, to report the student's name and the reason. I look at the picture, and I look at the words above it, and it says, Is this the Dr. Whitfield we want leading our schools? I showed it to my wife, who immediately begins to well up with tears, said Whitfield, adding that he took it to mean that he was being criticized for being in an interracial relationship. Ive only chosen to speak out against baseless allegations after [the district] allowed a man to speak my name at the July 26 board meeting, he said. As the editorial note at the storys end explained, She and her son feared retaliation from other Colleyville athletes, coaches, and parents. McClure said school officials held meetings and questioned students, but nobody admitted to using the muscle-building substances. A Black North Texas principal has agreed to resign after being put on paid administrative leave in August amid accusations he was teaching and promoting critical race theory. The scandal at CHHS, as well as the well-publicized suicide of a student-athlete in Plano, Texas resulted in the implementation of random drug testing by the University Interscholastic League in 2007. They werent too happy with me, she says. Cooper vs. Colleyville Heritage - Texas High School Girls Basketball mr buva 0 No views 52 seconds ago #highschoolbasketball Stream Here https://gametoday.hs-sport.live/highs. Keeping Score: FC Dallas lights up the sky and the net on 80s night vs. LA Galaxy, 71-year-old man with dementia missing in Fort Worth, Expect mostly sunny skies this weekend after severe weather hits North Texas, Keller ISD teacher says school administrators asked him to remove Black Lives Matter banner in classroom, 'If I fold, what do they have left?' Ironically, it was the place where hed purchased his steroids. Lori Lewis carried a pair of her sons jeans into his closet. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Im going to fight him.. First, she noticed the syringes. The Grapevine . We remain committed to providing a learning environment that fosters and encourages student academic and extracurricular achievement, Ryan wrote. Phone calls can only be accepted the day of the absence. Can you hide it?' Over the next year, he wants to work closely with educators and students, especially helping teachers who are fearful that what happened to him will happen to them. He said the district wouldn't tell him why. Whitfield reached an agreement with Grapevine-Colleyville ISD after being accused of teaching critical race theory at his high school and placed on administrative leave. The driver came after him. At that moment, it didnt seem like an earth-shattering admission. The weekend before the series was to run, a fax came to the Morning News. While the status of this as an ongoing personnel matter limits the information that the District can disclose about the events leading up to this decision, the speculation and conjecture that surround these events warrant some additional context. The district told WFAA again Friday that the decision has nothing to do with critical race theory or allegations by a small group of parents. He knewfrom friends, from weight-room whispers, from his own two eyesthat many of the starters were accomplishing just that task with injected aid. She has begun to work with Don Hooton, the Plano father whose 17-year-old son committed suicide in July 2003 because of his steroids-induced depression, to raise steroid awareness and stiffen national testing laws. Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P: (817) 305-4700 F: (817) 358-4765 E: chhs.info@gcisd.net Quick Facts Year Opened: 1996 Grades: 9th - 12th Enrollment: 1,984 Mascot: Panthers Principal: Julia Stephen Other Important Information/Procedures Hours First Bell: 8:40 a.m. School Ends: 4:00 p.m. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands. This was so she could direct Lewis to the appropriate vice principal. Chuck Schumer aims for weekend vote on bipartisan $1T infr Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, I'm a professional cleaner ditch these 4 household products immediately, Buster Murdaugh got 'very drunk' with dad 2 months after mom, brother murdered: source, Tom Sandoval speaks out on Raquel Leviss affair: I deserve your anger, Shoeless Ariana Madix awkwardly tries to avoid cheating Tom Sandoval, Prince Harry was scared to lose Meghan Markle after fight that led to therapy, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant allegedly flashes gun at a strip club, Chris Rock Places All The Blame On The Will Smith Slap On Jada Pinkett Smith And Red Table Talk: Everybody Called Him A Bitch!, Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval have awkward moment amid cheating scandal. James Whitfield chose to resign from his position as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School and the school board unanimously accepted on Monday. I knew it as soon as I finished the story. He agreed not to name the family members. "If they do proceed with firing him, I hope the administration knows that these people aren't going anywhere," fellow student Sunehra Chowdhury said of the students who walked out of class. The foursome scrambled back into their car and took off. "Our lawyers are looking at it," she said. THOSE WERE THE GROUND RULES, never in question, always understood. Are ticket costs pricing Houston Astros fans out of Opening Day? The one who could name Bryan. She called a reporter at the weekly Colleyville Courier and told him her story. Sports means everything to folks here, Bryan says. Oh, no. "His diversity efforts have just been amazing," said student Samantha Zelling, who took part in Friday's march and protest. Nor was the decision made in response to allegations Dr. Whitfield was teaching Critical Race Theory, or because of the photos on his social media account that were brought to the attention of the District in 2019. He hung up. Whitfield is now speaking out about the incident and responding to what he claims are bigoted and racist attacks, including accusations that he is a proponent of critical race theory. He was asked to remove photos from Facebook taken on a beach vacation with is wife, that some felt were inappropriate. At a time when newsroom resources and revenue across the country are declining, The Texas Tribune remains committed to sustaining our mission: creating a more engaged and informed Texas with every story we cover, every event we convene and every newsletter we send. The only other known instance in which a group of high school athletes admitted to steroid use was in Buckeye, Ariz., in fall 2003, according to the Associated Press. We have established procedures for that which we are following.". McClure said no school officials have been implicated in the matter. Aria Jones, Breaking news reporter. It was too quiet, she says. Whitfield, who was named principal of Colleyville Heritage High School ahead of the 2020-21 school year, has been accused online and in board meetings of teaching critical race theory and promoting a belief that white people are inherently racist. Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P 817-305-4700 F 817-358-4765 Had that photo been the only image, there would have been no request to remove it., In the superintendents letter Monday, Ryan told parents that the entire District leadership team and I are fully committed to the success and well-being of Colleyville Heritage students as we move forward together.. Can you take this picture down? Some of the photos the district received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. On July 31, Whitfield responded to the claims in a lengthy Facebook post. Bryan understands, she says. He called a few buddies shortly before midnight and told them to meet him at Whataburger, one of the town hangouts. That person was reported to the Colleyville police, she said. The school is a part of the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District and serves freshmen through senior students in Colleyville and the surrounding areas of Tarrant County. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. She was sad that shed been proven right. They asked Bryan to relive every detail. I dont think that was crazy.. "When a social media concern is brought to the attention of the district, we have a responsibility to review it. In May 2018, Dr. Ryan was named the 2018 Region XI Superintendent of the Year. The paper sent a photographer, who took a picture of the vial of steroids, commonly known as Deca. And the story ran on the front page of the Courier on October 1, under a three-column headline that read: Steroid Use Suspected in Some Area Schools., The impact on the administration was less than shed hoped. It had absolutely nothing to do with race., The photo that aired in initial media reports was not the only photo that was received by the District, Kristin Snively, executive director of communications for the district, wrote in an email to The Dallas Morning News. Only one. "It would be my hope that more rational minds prevail. Officers on the scene have "the individual involved detained.". She was the founding editor of the websites PureWow Dallas and Racked Dallas. They had pieced together a clear picture of a serious problem. She was still at her sales conference. Hed been playing sports in Colleyville since tee ball at age 4, and through select baseball and Pee Wee football, all the way through this, his junior year, shed attended every game. She expected to hear from him in a week or so. None of the individuals had weapons on them, but a handgun was found in one of the students cars, police said. No one could see her talking to school officials. MOM ON A MISSION: Lewis (left) admits that if she had known how her city would turn against her, how her son Bryan (right) would be ostracized, how her actions would be second-guessed by the police, it would have made her think twice. Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. Bryan got out and starting jawing with him. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Superintendent Robin Ryan announced Whitfield was being placed on leave in a message to parents Monday. He sounded drunk. reflections@chhsptsa.org. Anybody really believe that? The answer, anabolic steroids, provided a bit of relief. Instead of issuing their support of me, they came after me, he said. Only a worried mom and a kid who felt he owed it to her to fess up, do the right thing, be a man. He mentions a senior. Alphabet L - Z. lesli.ware@gcisd.net. Under mounting pressure from district officials, local and national media, and law enforcement, a total of nine other CHHS athletes confessed to use of steroids and other PEDs. "I look at the picture, and I look at the words above it, and it says, 'Is this the Dr. Whitfield we want leading our schools?' The next day, Lewis picked up her Sunday Morning News and boarded a chartered bus to Austin for a sales meeting. Im gonna beat your ass.. Im gonna kick your ass.. I know that there's just so many people under these attacks and that's my greatest fear because this profession means so much to me, he said. Kids need us! the principal added. In two sentences, theyd given Bryan away., Patrick arranged the [steroids purchase] with a couple of phone calls, paying $200 to a varsity football player. Hes not even playing football this year. Three of his best friends have transferred to it in the past few years, so he has his core group of buddies together. GreatSchools Rating 5 reviews Awards Public school 1,974 Students Grades 9-12. He hopes he starts, he says. 6 /10. He had a Grapevine High School sticker on his car, so he didnt go to Heritage. Earlier this week, Abbott asked the Texas Education Agency, along with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and the State Board of Education, to develop statewide standards preventing "obscene content in Texas public schools.". Gregg Jones and Gary Jacobson sat at Lewis kitchen table, in her upper-middle-class, redbrick home, on a quiet street in Colleyville, and grilled the mother and son for hours, during several interview sessions. The students named an adult with no ties to the school as the source of the substances. We need to make sure we're providing a healthy environment for all of them. Shows are now Feb. 3 (Fri.), 4 (Sat. Note! A mother raising a teenage boy who decided to use steroids like too many kids do, or a football coach who didnt know? Lewis begged him to calm down. After months of trying, Jones and Jacobson finally interviewed coach Chris Cunningham, who declined to talk to D Magazine through a spokeswoman and through his lawyers. They know.. This story has been shared 117,245 times. Hes on his third cycle.. CNN A high school principal in North Texas who was placed on leave after being publicly accused of promoting critical race theory has agreed to leave his role. 5401 Heritage Ave. Colleyville, TX 76034-5919. She tries to focus on the things shes helped accomplish. So when Bryan pulled into the drive-thru and ordered, he wasnt surprised to see people he knew. Whitfield wrote that the allegations were connected to a 2019 presentation he took part in as middle school principal on Breaking the Barriers that addressed peoples differences. Its been a roller coaster for him, she says. Read more about this topic: Colleyville Heritage High School, Athletics, And therefore, as when there is a controversy in an account, the parties must by their own accord, set up for right Reason, the Reason of some Arbitrator, or Judge, to whose sentence, they will both stand, or their controversy must either come to blows, or be undecided, for want of a right Reason constituted by Nature; so is it also in all debates of what kind soever.Thomas Hobbes (15791688), Bret Boone - Professional Career - Legacy -. Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,925. She demanded to know why he was taking steroids. Scholars developed it during the 1970s and 1980s in response to what they viewed as a lack of racial progress following the civil rights legislation of the 1960s. # 1,954 in National Rankings. McClure said the school began investigating the matter in October. James Whitfield at his home in Hurst on Sept. 16. Sort of. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A high school principal at the center of a controversy in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is now on administrative leave. His decision. ", Grapevine-Colleyville ISD issued the following statement Monday. The coaches had told him to get bigger and stronger if he wanted to earn a starting position, he said. "We're talking about a very short period, weeks," district spokeswoman Robin McClure said. My mom catches me at everything, Bryan says. They shouldnt be filing stupid lawsuits. Lewis said she didnt want the schools help. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Dallas College. She couldnt even get her grass cut? They were changed to Patrick and Michelle. An 18-year-old man and a juvenile student are facing criminal charges after a handgun was found inside a student's car at Colleyville Heritage High School on Tuesday. There were several long pauses, she says. I think its sweet. Oh, that. In hindsight, of course I should have just called them. Anna Caplan, Special Contributor. Were set to play more disadvantaged and diverse opponents Trinity. Ive moved on. Students were dismissed about an hour late Tuesday, the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District tweeted. Updated at 1:12 p.m. Wednesday with details throughout. Skater punks, Bryan would call them. He says that many of the football players at Colleyville were introduced to steroids by someone from a nearby rival. When he decided not to play (and when he noticed acne on his back during the family vacation in Florida), he stopped. Cunningham has apologized and said it was wrong to say the things he did, but I think anybody would have reacted the same way. So I wouldnt feel comfortable mowing your lawn.. Many in town obviously dont take the steroids problem seriously. Also in the post, the principal referred to an incident in which a school administrator asked Whitfield to remove a photo of him and his wife, who is white, from his Facebook page. The e-mails from parents who say they are too scared to be named publicly but who thank her for shaking up the CHHS administration and mighty football program. Check to be sure that email from abi@luhsd.net will come through. Ranking weighted 4.0 GPA* (includes only Core, LOTE, and AP courses in GPA calculation), 2. Lewis told Beal that her son had used steroids, that he obtained them from other kids on the team, that they got them from someone at the nearby Whataburger. at 7pm. Colleyville Heritage High School. He came at him againObviously, Bryan says, this kid did not know how to fightand this time Bryans punch knocked him to the ground. One of those parents complained. He wrote that he cant ask others to speak up if he wont, and that being a school administrator does not take away my rights and ability to be human and defend myself.. Read more about CRT here. And when he went to his truck after school, there was a sheet of notebook paper under his windshield wiper with one word scrawled across it: SNITCH.. Police did not identify either individual. The tough drug-testing program that Grapevine-Colleyville has adopted. They are: 1. She said that many other football players were using them, and her son told her that, because many players knew about it, the coaches either knew and didnt care or didnt want to know so they didnt ask how players had made sudden increases in strength and size. Not one day has gone by that I havent had to deal with this or talk about it to someone. Rogers said the organization surveyed districts across the state in fall 2002 and asked whether they saw a need for rules on steroids or a program of steroid testing. Lewis is suing because Cunningham told the Morning News she was a liar and a crazy mom. It was at this moment that I knew the attack that we currently endure, was coming., In a statement to KXAS-TV (NBC5), the district said the photos it received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. Jones and Jacobson talked to others in Colleyville who were suspected users, and all denied it. "As this is an ongoing personnel matter, we will not comment further. 5401 Heritage Ave, Colleyville, Texas | (817) 305-4700. Example video title will go here for this video. Compare Colleyville Heritage High School to Other Schools gcisd-k12.org The reporters worked other sources. 562. But he doesnt like it., When her son talks, she stares at him intently, looking for signs that hes upset or angry. Because even though Lewis did the right thing, and even though she took every measure to protect her sons identity when she made that call and then later took her story to the media, it is Bryan who ultimately paid the price for his moms principled stand. It had absolutely nothing to do with race. Who knew? The school district told KXAS in a statement: When a social media concern is brought to the attention of the district, we have a responsibility to review it. Read more about this topic: Colleyville Heritage High School, Athletics Other articles related to "steroid controversy, steroid, steroids": I cant run from this. State Rep. Matt Krause of Fort Worth, who is running for state attorney general, recently launched an inquiry into the types of books students can access in Texas schools, which included an 850-book list. In a letter to parents Monday, Superintendent Robin Ryan wrote that Whitfield has been placed on leave but that he would not go into the specifics because it is a personnel matter., Whitfield, the schools first Black principal, told The Dallas Morning News on Monday night that he was told he was put on leave indefinitely because the superintendent has determined that doing so is in the best interest of the District.. I just wish everyone else would.. The move comes a week after the principal and a crowd of supporters attended a school board meeting to address claims from a group of parents who say he is teaching critical race theory. Thinks he will. Faking it wasnt easy. She says she never used the word condone, and her demeanor in all those phone calls was completely appropriate. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - Dozens of students and parents rallied outside Grapevine-Colleyville ISD's school board meeting Monday night, August 23, to show support for Colleyville. Updated at 1:12 p.m. Wednesday with details throughout. She wants a million-five. By now, she had revealed her identity in subsequent newspaper stories. Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. And even if the answer was all of them, how many had gone to Kroger and said she needed them for a horse? By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, Stand with us in our mission to discover and uncover the story of North Texas, 18-year-old man, student face charges after gun found in car at Colleyville Heritage High School, What we know after 3 children killed, 2 wounded at Ellis County home, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones defers comment on revival of sexual harassment lawsuit. Perhaps that would spur someone to investigate the problem more aggressively.