Resident and former trustee says grievance denial allows retaliation; board notes personnel process

A longtime Del Valle ISD resident and former board member told trustees Nov. 18 that the board’s recent denial of a grievance amounted to tacit approval of retaliatory behavior by administrators.

Ann Huberger identified herself as a Del Valle resident for 23 years, a former substitute and a former board trustee, and said she was ‘‘sad, disappointed and appalled’’ by the board’s vote to deny a grievance. Huberger described the employee named in the grievance as having 28 years of service and said the denial — she described a 4‑2 vote to deny — signals to administrators ‘‘to harass, bully, disrespect and retaliate against employees.’’ She urged trustees who voted to deny the grievance to visit Beatty campus and see an office space she described as cramped and inaccessible to parents and volunteers.

Huberger’s comments were made during the public comment period; trustees did not engage in debate during that item. The agenda later moved the board into closed session to consider personnel matters under Texas Government Code (TGC) 551.074; after closed session the board returned to open session and approved employment resignations and terminations and later approved sanctions for abandonment of contract as presented (motions carried by show of hands at 9–0). The board did not discuss Huberger’s specific allegations in open session.

Separately, teacher Brett Covington — speaking during the same public comment period — said discipline problems at Del Valle High School have worsened, that many students are not productively engaged and that the district needs additional student support services to prevent instructional disruption and staff burnout.

The board did not make immediate public findings about the grievance during open session; the transcript shows personnel matters were handled in closed session as allowed under state law.