Southlake Carroll ISD faces backlash after personnel decisions
Crowding around the entrance of the administration building, hundreds of students, parents and teachers from past and present gathered Monday to protest the personnel changes in the Southlake Carroll school district. Signs were raised saying “Team Wilson,” “We Love Benhoff,” and “Fine Arts = Sports.”
The Carroll school board met in a special meeting to discuss personnel matters in executive session and hear the president’s report and a few briefings. The grievances of parents and students took up much of the hour and 45-minute meeting.
Of the hundreds gathered, 54 people signed up for public comment. Their comments fell into three categories: the non-renewal of contracts for two principals, a basketball coach who was terminated and the reassignment of a choir director and swim coach. Throughout it all was a request for transparency.
Between each speaker’s two minutes, applause erupted in support from the board meeting room and the overlow crowd in the hallway.
The district sent an email to parents Sunday night saying they are committed to open and honest communication, but will not comment on personnel matters.
Two principals not offered contract renewals
Carroll Senior High School Principal Ryan Wilson and Carroll High School Principal Christina Benhoff were not offered contract renewals, but are expected to finish out their 2024-26 contract.
Wilson has been the principal of Carroll Senior High School since 2021, when he moved from his 13 year post as Dawson Middle School’s principal. He has spent a total of 24 years in the district.
Benhoff was named principal of Carroll High School in 2022. In the 10 years before her appointment, she was a math teacher and coach at Carroll Middle School and assistant principal of Carroll Senior High School.
Carroll ISD students and parents came to the podium saying if the board does not offer renewals to either and “fix the mistake,” the district will be losing crown jewels.
Superintendent Jeremy Glenn said in the meeting that the board will consider the renewal of the principals’ contracts, along with those of other staff at a future meeting.
Wilson can be seen every morning, rain, snow or sun, greeting every car before the first bell with a smile. One speaker called Wilson worthy of being on the Mount Rushmore of Carroll ISD. He’s the kind of educator you’d name a building after, another speaker said.
Students said there isn’t a day that goes by that they don’t see Benhoff and Wilson in the hallways. Even more, each student is greeted by name by the second interaction.
Coaches and director reassigned or laid off
After four years as Dragon basketball head coach, David Markley told the Star-Telegram he was let go because of his “sideline demeanor and use of profanity.” Markley, a former TCU basketball walk-on, led Carroll to 23 wins and was named the District 4-6A Coach of the Year.
Swimming and Diving head coach Kevin Murphy was reassigned, according to a Facebook post. Murphy has spent 20 years with the district and led boys to 10 state champions and the girls to five state titles. The choir director for Carroll and Dawson Middle Schools, Rachel Heiser was also reassigned. Heiser is one of two choir directors across six grade levels and three campuses.
Multiple speakers explained reassignment as when an employee is given a new position that they are over qualified for, often a demotion.
Marissa Maron, a parent who spoke at the meeting, said she has heard of teachers in the district who are struggling and afraid to stay but refuse to desert the kids they teach.
“If we suddenly change our approach to educators with a heavy fist, they will take it as a sign to go elsewhere if they are experiencing challenges due to an evolving system,” Maron said.
Carroll ISD parent Jana Thompson said her family moved to Southlake for the school district but is worried she’ll have to move her family away for the same reason.
Sports reporter Charles Baggarly contributed to this story.
This story was originally published May 6, 2025 at 12:13 AM with the headline "Southlake Carroll ISD faces backlash after personnel decisions."