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Residents call for accountability at Willis ISD meeting; speakers accuse trustee of misconduct
Summary
During public comment at the June 9 meeting, speakers urged the board to take action against a named trustee, alleging a 2023 DWI conviction, fraud allegations and unprofessional conduct. The board did not respond during public comment but discussed board member duties in closed session.
Public comment on June 9 included forceful calls from at least two speakers who urged the Willis ISD board to take action against a named trustee and also criticized the boardgenerally.
Diane Hibner addressed the board alleging prior incidents involving "trustee number 5." Hibner said the trustee had been charged with a DWI on Sept. 12, 2023 and later convicted on Sept. 30, 2024, and accused the trustee of "possible fraud and corruption" in a series of public remarks. Hibner concluded her remarks saying, "You're fired," directed at the trustee.
Later public comment speaker Abby Yarbrough criticized the boardcalling it insufficiently accountable and alleging backdoor dealings and corruption; she said legislative change had been motivated in part by the boardand thanked "our allies in Austin" for recent legislation. Yarbrough called on the board to "tell us the truth" before raising local taxes and said some trustees would be replaced by continued civic action.
Other commenters touched on assorted topics such as curriculum resources, health policy changes and school choice; one commenter, Bob Holden, urged attention to classroom screen time and curricula and noted recent legislative changes affecting families and teachers.
Board response and follow-up
Per the board's public-comment rules the board did not respond during public comment. The board later convened in closed session and the agenda explicitly listed "consider and discuss board member duties, performance, and conduct" under Texas Government Code sections cited during the meeting. After closed session a motion was made by Trustee Cliff Williams to accept the superintendent's recommendation and direct the superintendent and school attorney (motion text recorded in the minutes); the motion passed 7–0. The board did not make further public findings or disciplinary action in open session at the June 9 meeting.
Ending
The allegations were made publicly during comment and represent claims by speakers. The district did not announce any formal disciplinary action in open session; the board met in closed session on related matters and approved the superintendent's recommendation to direct district staff and counsel.
