Community voices support for reassigned Muslim principal at Fort Worth ISD meeting
Community members repeatedly told the Fort Worth school district to reinstate former principal Shayma Alzubi — with a few interruptions — during a board meeting Tuesday.
During more than three hours of public comment at the Board of Managers meeting, at least 35 speakers voiced support for Alzubi, a Muslim. Alzubi was named principal of Western Hills High School in May, but days later the school district reassigned her after online backlash over her old social media posts. Alzubi had posted about the Black Lives Matter movement and Sharia law. Sharia is “the set of Islamic laws that encompass both the religious and secular practices of Muslims,” according to the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research.
On Friday, Alzubi filed a lawsuit against Fort Worth Independent School District, arguing that the district had violated her free speech. The lawsuit argues that the school district “gave in to an anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian hysteria in violation of the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment.” The school district has not commented on the lawsuit.
The majority of speakers at Tuesday’s board meeting urged the board not to allow online agitators to dictate personnel decisions. The speakers included a future Western Hills High School student, eighth-grader Jaxson Whittaker, who said he was thrilled when Alzubi was announced as principal.
“This situation left me speechless,” Whittaker said about her reassignment. “Don’t let what a few bullies say about her over social media decide her role in our community.”
At least eight speakers said they agreed with the decision to reassign Alzubi, and said Alzubi’s comments should have consequences.
But most defended Alzubi, citing reports of her professionalism and skill with students.
Mindia Whittier called the board the “GOP Board of Managers.”
“It’s not surprising that you collectively capitulated to a MAGA provocateur,” she said.
“What’s happening to this principal is egregious,” said Michelle Williams, a Houston activist and candidate for the Texas House.
Community members spoke on the issue at the board’s budget meeting, during which the board approved a $904 million budget.
