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Teachers and union leaders urge new Beaumont ISD board to protect staff as TEA intervenes
Summary
During the first meeting of the TEA-appointed board, teachers and the Beaumont Teachers Association warned that takeover-era policies could undercut teacher autonomy, flagged safety and curriculum concerns, and offered to partner with the new superintendent to support staff morale and student outcomes.
Teachers, a candidate representative and union leaders urged the newly appointed Beaumont Independent School District board on May 5 to prioritize teacher protections and staff morale after the Texas Education Agency intervened April 29 and appointed a new board and superintendent.
Bridget Smith, a teacher at Peach MacArthur, told the board she and colleagues had received little guidance since the takeover and warned that previous takeovers produced teacher departures. "We had 30 kids in our classroom because the teachers got scared," Smith said, adding concerns about classroom safety and that curriculum materials provided "are not aligned with the TEKS." She urged the board to "stand with us" and restore successful practices for student attendance and behavior.
Dylan Mitchell, speaking on behalf of Tiffany Perkins (a candidate for the State Board of Education, District 7), said the takeover began during Teacher Appreciation Week and criticized governance practices he said give district leadership broad power to reassign or remove teachers with fewer protections. He cited the model used in Houston ISD and argued ‘‘Healthy school cultures are not built through intimidation.’’
Sabrina Winger, a member of the Beaumont Teachers Association executive board, welcomed the new board and Superintendent Sandy Massey and offered the union as a partner. Winger said the association represents roughly one in three district employees and asked for a meeting with Massey to discuss a roadmap to support staff and improve morale.
Speakers emphasized that board members would not respond during the public comment period and asked the board to consider teacher perspectives as it revises local policy. The public comment period concluded after the scheduled speakers finished.
The board confirmed several procedural actions later in the meeting, including the ratification of Sandy Massey as acting superintendent and a vote to submit a temporary waiver request to the Texas Education Agency Commissioner concerning superintendent certification. The board also voted to temporarily suspend a set of local policies while it conducts a review.
The board is expected to continue its business at its next monthly meeting in May.
