‘You are white trash.’ Deluge of vulgar messages sent to former Wylie principal
“You are intellectually bankrupt. You are white trash.”
“You guys blow chunks.”
“I hope there is a fire in Wylie.”
These are just three of the over 1,500 messages that were left for former Wylie East High School principal Tiffany Doolan and Wylie ISD recently. These examples are among the more tame messages — many are laced with profanity and references to violence.
Doolan, who had worked for Wylie ISD 19 years, resigned on May 26 after receiving backlash for a “Why Islam” cultural awareness event that occurred at the high school in February.
Voicemails provided in response to a request from the Star-Telegram ranged from callers saying Doolan was anti-American, a disgrace to Wylie, and not smart enough to teach children.
Other messages were sexual in nature, and some called for her to be arrested and killed. Doolan also received several emails calling her a vulgar word that typically refers to women.
One text message she received on her work cell phone depicted an AI generated image of Jesus and President Donald Trump, an American flag emoji, and words that called her a “lunatic.”
The district said in a statement posted to its website that criticisms became personal and that Doolan was a victim of targeted online attacks and public hostility. An old photo of Doolan wearing a hijab for World Hijab Day drew significant criticism. The district explained that Doolan participated in student activities intended to “build relationships and help students feel seen and valued.”
Another voicemail was left for a district spokesperson that called Doolan’s resignation a “victory for all” and repeatedly said, “You’re next.”
In a district public forum hosted two weeks after the “Why Islam” event, 22 people spoke to express their thoughts on the district’s handling of the situation. Since then, every forum has had over 12 speakers. Forums prior to the Feb. 17 meeting averaged two to three speakers.
Jennifer Cleveland, a Wylie resident, has a daughter who attends Wylie ISD. She said her daughter was thoughtful, curious and open-minded due to the education she received at Wylie ISD.
“In any large organization serving thousands of students, mistakes will happen. What matters is accountability, and you all have demonstrated that,” Cleveland said in a March forum. “Research shows that students and environments built on inclusion and respect perform better academically and develop stronger interpersonal skills.”
Following the Feb. 2 “Why Islam” event, the district revised its student organization outside visitor policy. During the event, a group who was on campus to speak to a student organization for World Hijab Day, set up a table without permission during lunch.
District changes included a requirement of administration approval of materials being handed out on campus, and requiring the club sponsor to meet any club visitor in the front office and escort them to and from the meeting location.
Through the school district, Doolan declined a request to be interviewed.
In a letter sent to parents, Doolan thanked students and parents for allowing her to serve as principal. She said she will miss the little moments the most, like seeing students in the halls, checking in on them after a rough day and celebrating accomplishments with them.
“I know schools are not perfect because people are not perfect, and I certainly am not. But I hope you know this – every decision I have ever made was rooted in care for students and in what I believed was best for kids,” Doolan wrote in the letter.
