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Beaumont ISD board upholds athletic-eligibility decision in Hernandez grievance
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Summary
Trustees denied a level 3 appeal from Jorge and Guadina Hernandez, agreeing with administration that their daughter was ineligible for Westbrook girls soccer after progress reports showed failing coursework; the board voted to uphold the level 2 decision 4-0-1.
Trustees of the Beaumont Independent School District voted to uphold the district's level 2 decision and deny a level 3 appeal from Jorge and Guadina Hernandez, who had challenged the decision not to place their daughter, Karama Hernandez, on the Westbrook High School girls soccer team.
The motion to uphold the administration's finding was made by Trustee Tilly Hickman and seconded by Trustee Denise Spooner; President Segee announced, "Motion carries 4 0 1." The vote followed presentations from the parents and from district athletics staff and a period of board questioning.
The Hernandez family told the board they believed the hearing record was incomplete and accused school staff of "finding things" to disqualify their daughter after an on-campus incident last year that they said harmed her sense of safety and motivation. "The camera is there. She's being protected, and yet that doesn't work either," parent Jennifer Moore said during public comments referencing related transparency concerns for special‑education settings; Jorge Hernandez told trustees the family repeatedly sought help from the principal and coaches without being satisfied with the responses.
District officials, led by Dr. Ron Jackson, director of athletics, said the case turned on eligibility rules. Jackson said the Westbrook team information packet requires athletes be passing all classes at the time of tryouts. He told the board that Karama had removed herself from the athletic period before tryouts, did not sign the tryout roster initially, and although the coach allowed her to try on the second day, staff checked grades after trials and found multiple failing progress reports. "When I received the information in January ... the student was still ineligible to participate," Jackson said.
Coach Austin Greenway acknowledged he allowed Karama a second‑day chance but conceded he should have checked grades before allowing the extra day of tryouts. In explaining his approach, Greenway said he was trying to give a motivated returning player an opportunity and that coaches at Westbrook often check on players' classwork informally. "I should have checked them before I gave her permission to try out," he said.
Board members pressed administration on consistency of the district's "no grades, no play" enforcement and on whether parents had been notified about the second‑day tryout. Trustees also asked whether campus counseling or wellness resources had been engaged to support the student's academic and emotional needs; the district indicated staff would explore arrangements for school counseling support.
The board's motion formally upheld the level 2 decision, effectively denying the parents' appeal and keeping the level 2 remedies in place. The transcript records the motion and the chair's announcement that the motion carried 4-0-1; the board moved into closed session afterward.
The Hernandez family's request that the board alter the placement decision was denied; trustees and district staff said the decision was based on documented eligibility criteria and progress‑report records. The family said they would continue to press for improved supports and clearer communication about academic and safety issues affecting their child.
