colleyville heritage high school scandal

As Lewis recalls, Beal said, Ive talked to Coach Cunningham, and he says its not true. The school and district officials dismissed the mother's claims, and the school's head football coach went as far calling her a "liar" in a Dallas Morning News interview. Youget home! she told him. The one who could name Bryan. Lewis asked that Beal call her back when his investigation was finished. Can you take this picture down? 750 North St.Paul St. In June, Lewis scheduled to have her lawn mowed by a Mid Cities fireman who runs a small lawn-care company. They were identified merely as the athlete and his mother.. Get out of the car, Dyer, he said. Some of the photos the district received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. Whitfield's status with Colleyville Heritage High School is expected to be decided at a Monday school board meeting. Stressed over the accusations, Whitfield said he couldn't shake the photo incident of 2019 from his head and the district's conclusion the photo was inappropriate. They had a problem and needed to know about it, for the kids safety. Aria has interned at the Austin American-Statesman, the Texas Tribune and the El Paso Times. But he said trouble began as far back as 2019 when someone complained to administrators he was setting a "bad example" by posting pictures of himself kissing his wife on Facebook. Anna Caplan covers McKinney, Southlake, Grapevine and Colleyville. Beal asked her to come into the school for a talk. Critical race theory is a way of thinking about Americas history through the lens of racism. How did you feel? One of those parents complained about the photo and the district ordered Whitfield to take it down. District: Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District (ISD) SchoolDigger Rank: 370th of 1,876 Texas High Schools. He will step down as principal at Colleyville Heritage High School and remain on paid leave until 2023. first accused of teaching critical race theory during a Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District school board meeting. Now, GOP lawmakers have turned their attention to what books children have access to in schools. I am grateful for your partnership and look forward to working with you to serve and support the students of Colleyville Heritage High School.. GPA is calculated on a 4.0 weighted GPA scale. Eric Celeste is the editor at Spirit, the inflight magazine of Southwest Airlines. Im used to it.. But if were really concerned about reputations here, whose reputation has been damaged more? COLLEYVILLE - Nine Colleyville Heritage High School students involved in football and other athletics have admitted to using steroids, district officials said Friday. Colleyville Heritage High School principal James Whitfield has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to Grapevine-Colleyville . She said the issue comes up informally "every time a professional athlete makes headlines" for steroid use. Hes just got to get a little faster, a little bigger, a little stronger. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. It has 2,123 students in grades 9th through 12th. James Whitfield, the first Black principal at mostly white Colleyville Heritage High School, chose to resign but remain on paid administrative leave until 2023 in a settlement with the school district. Whitfield is now speaking out about the incident and responding to what he claims are bigoted and racist attacks, including accusations that he is a proponent of critical race theory. HERE IS PART OF ABC CHANNEL 8 SPORTS director Dale Hansens on-air editorial from April 19, the day Lewis filed a lawsuit against Coach Chris Cunningham for slander, asking for $1.5 million in damages. At a time when newsroom resources and revenue across the country are declining, The Texas Tribune remains committed to sustaining our mission: creating a more engaged and informed Texas with every story we cover, every event we convene and every newsletter we send. Last Monday, August 23, students gathered at a school board meeting to express their support for Whitfield. Colleyville Heritage High School (TX) Varsity Basketball Colleyville Heritage Panthers Varsity Boys Basketball Colleyville, TX 22-23 V. Basketball Home Schedule Roster Standings Rankings Photos Videos News More / Colleyville Heritage High School Basketball Colleyville Heritage Basketball OVERALL 22-10 0.69 Win % DISTRICT 9-5 4th in District My mom catches me at everything, Bryan says. It was too quiet, she says. He agreed not to name the family members. In hindsight, of course I should have just called them. James Whitfield, principal of Colleyville Heritage High School in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, was placed on paid administrative leave in late August, a month after a former school board candidate . That Friday after the story had come out, near midnight, Bryan got a call on his cell phone. Dr. James Whitfield, the former principal at Colleyville Heritage High School, filed a $250,000 defamation lawsuit against Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District and board member Tammy . She checked the time. But other than that, its great. She says she has had to endure the communitys anger despite what should have been ample vindication: the Dallas Morning News, in an ongoing and exhaustive investigative series, has proven that steroids use in North Texas high schools is greater than many want to believe. Grapevine-Colleyville sources have said that the district does not teach CRT, a doctrine that pushes the notion that racism underpins Americas history, laws and institutions, according to the Dallas Morning News. 5401 Heritage Avenue, Colleyville, TX 76034 . According to state test scores, 55% of students are at least proficient in math and 77% in reading. Some in the district have accused him of implementing critical race theory in the classroom. The driver, the stockiest of the bunch, rapped on Bryans window. He has served 35 years in education, all in Texas, including as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School from 2004 to 2006. So when Bryan pulled into the drive-thru and ordered, he wasnt surprised to see people he knew. He knew where he was: at a party one block over. An anonymous parent called the high school and said football players were using steroids, which are illegal to use or possess in Texas without a prescription, and that the school's football coach condoned it. He loves his new school. Admitted it months earlier, not long after the journalists had interviewed Coach Cunningham. Alphabet L - Z. lesli.ware@gcisd.net. She was still at her sales conference. Had it come to that? But on the other hand, if you can get a million-five from everyone who says youre a liar and youre crazy, then Im gonna get me a lawyer, and Im gonna be a rich man., EVERYONE IS MAD AT LORI LEWIS these days, either for suing the high school football coach or for not keeping her mouth shut in the first place. Lewis told Beal that her son had used steroids, that he obtained them from other kids on the team, that they got them from someone at the nearby Whataburger. Lewis jumped in her car and raced the two miles to CHHS. A few parents blamed Lewis for making this an issue. As the editorial note at the storys end explained, She and her son feared retaliation from other Colleyville athletes, coaches, and parents. This Houston rodeo food vendor wants you to eat his rattlesnake, Astros GM Dana Brown has more praise team's top prospect, Heres how you can watch 'Daisy Jones and the Six', Proposed Texas bill gives tax cuts to heterosexual families only, These bites won big at the Houston rodeo's foodie awards. Its even tough to find a yardman in town. How did you get the syringes? "If they do proceed with firing him, I hope the administration knows that these people aren't going anywhere," fellow student Sunehra Chowdhury said of the students who walked out of class. It was time to do something about her own reputationand those of future whistle-blowers. "We don't know what report they're talking about," she said. Welcome to the Colleyville Heritage PTSA Facebook Page intended to keep our parents, teachers, and students current on upcoming events and opportunities CHHS PTA is a noncommercial, nonsectarian, nonpartisan association that does not endorse any candidate or political party. Among other things, SB 3 bans schools from making political activism part of a course and says teachers may not be compelled to talk about a widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs.. Theres no reason for me to take this photo down,' he told KXAS. Why should my kid be drug-tested just because you cant control yours?. He says that many of the football players at Colleyville were introduced to steroids by someone from a nearby rival. The student came forward only after his mother discovered a bag full of syringes and vials of liquids in his bedroom closet. ", Grapevine-Colleyville ISD issued the following statement Monday. Attendance Clerk. Hes not even playing football this year. Updated at 1:12 p.m. Wednesday with details throughout. They had the Courier article spread out, and several people were closely eyeing the photo accompanying the story. The CHHS kids who posted to the Morning News steroids bulletin boards, saying everyone knew this was a problem, that it is still a problem. I think its silly, I cant see why a husband and wife cant have a picture of them in a sweet moment, she said. And when he went to his truck after school, there was a sheet of notebook paper under his windshield wiper with one word scrawled across it: SNITCH.. Shows are now Feb. 3 (Fri.), 4 (Sat. Feeder schools for Colleyville Heritage High School: Elementary: With some of her neighbors not talking to her, she decided to take the next step. We have established procedures for that which we are following.". Hey, you little pussy, he said. They said, Could you take it down? Colleyville Heritage High School (CHHS) is a public secondary school in Colleyville, Texas in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Aria writes about breaking news. Bryan had to lie, even to friends who sidled up to him in private and asked if he was the one. Aug. 5, 2021 In June 2019, shortly after James Whitfield, a Black educator, was hired as the principal of a middle school in Colleyville, Texas, an administrator with the school district. He wants to play wide receiver. And the News reporters agreed that they wouldnt identify any of the other students who Bryan knew or suspected used steroids. Its a smart school, too, well above state and national averages in students ACT and SAT scores. They shouldnt be filing stupid lawsuits. Ironically, it was the place where hed purchased his steroids. Dan Patrick has called it a ridiculous leftist narrative. Gov. She didnt feel proud that shed proven the school wrong. The Tarrant County Narcotics Unit, now working the steroids investigation, told Lewis that her first call should have been to them months ago. Then, two weeks later, Bryan left a movie theater on a weekend night. Lewis wanted to get up and walk out, but she stayed put, stayed silent. How many varsity football players got calls for drug deals in their SAT prep class this year? Because even though Lewis did the right thing, and even though she took every measure to protect her sons identity when she made that call and then later took her story to the media, it is Bryan who ultimately paid the price for his moms principled stand. Not their real names, of course. Show us with your support. Bryan got out and starting jawing with him. He sold her the needles.. But the reporters needed something else. He was asked to remove photos from Facebook taken on a beach vacation with is wife, that some felt were inappropriate. Oh, no. Bryan is used to getting in trouble with his mom. That was months ago. Who is available? ), & 6 (Mon.) "As this is an ongoing personnel matter, we will not comment further. Bryan, afraid that someone inside had called the police, did the same. Hes been up at his schools weight room with other athletes, cleaning the mats, spray-painting the weights, putting the gym junk away. Just over a month later, the district has suspended Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield without explanation, he told The Washington Post on Tuesday. You heard that story earlier tonight. reflections@chhsptsa.org. His decision. This is how competitive it is in this town, Lewis says, smiling. Well, I had an interesting day, he told his mother by phone that night. She expected to hear from him in a week or so. All students and staff are safe, the school . As part of a settlement between Whitfield and the district, he will remain on paid administrative leave until then. 4:25 PM on Mar 1, 2022 CST Updated at 8:58 PM on Mar 1, 2022 CST. Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P 817-305-4700 F 817-358-4765 Like Our Page on Facebook Follow us on Twitter But that one sentence stuck with Lewis. In the minds of many, she carries with her the scarlet S affixed to those in small towns, suburban or rural, who dont honor the sanctity of high school football: snitch, squealer, sinner. The district had no additional comments Monday night because it is an ongoing personnel matter, a spokeswoman said in a prepared statement. "His diversity efforts have just been amazing," said student Samantha Zelling, who took part in Friday's march and protest. Bryan sat across from them, Lewis next to him. (817) 305-4700. They had to get everything ready for when they return after the summer, when Bryan plans to go out for the varsity team. She laughs about it more than she complains. Proponents also believe race is culturally invented, not biological. His resignation won't be official. Lets go, then, he said. The driver came after him. I am the first African American to assume the role of principal at my current school in its 25-year history, and I am keenly aware of how much fear this strikes in the hearts of a small minority who would much rather things go back to the way they used to be.". But the moms wouldnt tell the other moms about it, because they want their kid to have an edge. In December, however, nine students involved in football and other unspecified sports came forward and said they used steroids last spring. He hopes he starts, he says. Mom, they already know. While the move may have been about personnel, Whitfield said it feels personal. He talked quickly, stumbling over his words, trying to explain his reasoning. She says she sued Coach Cunningham not just because she feels his remarks made life tough in Colleyville, but because she says she wants to be sure other schools will think twice before ignoring a whistle-blower. There were also names. Cunningham says one of the reasons he reacted the way he did, he was told that she was screaming at school officials and accusing him of condoning the steroid use. When Bryan got inside, Lewis pointed the bottle at him. 6 /10. At that moment, it didnt seem like an earth-shattering admission. Critical race theory, or CRT, is an academic discipline usually taught at the university level. On the front page blared her sons story: Colleyville player says pressure to improve prompted steroid use.. A new study says yes. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. By now, she had revealed her identity in subsequent newspaper stories. They were extremely polite but thorough. Only 22,000 people live in Colleyville. Except for a few friends, he felt ostracized. A mother raising a teenage boy who decided to use steroids like too many kids do, or a football coach who didnt know? The median household income tops $150,000. No one could see her talking to school officials. Colleyville Heritage High School. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied journalism and public relations. He mentions a senior. At least hes not a drug addict, she thought. In a July 31 post on his personal Facebook page, Whitfield responded: "I am not the CRT (Critical Race Theory) Boogeyman. How many of them bought needles for players? The reporters worked other sources. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. In response to written questions from Jones and Jacobson, the district acknowledged that nine CHHS football players, eight seniors and one junior, had admitted to using steroids. She wants a million-five. People leave me alone. Gregg Jones and Gary Jacobson sat at Lewis kitchen table, in her upper-middle-class, redbrick home, on a quiet street in Colleyville, and grilled the mother and son for hours, during several interview sessions. Lewis pulled him out of CHHS and would soon enroll him in a nearby private school. The students named an adult with no ties to the school as the source of the substances. It was from the Grapevine-Colleyville school district. The architects of the theory argue that the United States was founded on the theft of land and labor and that federal law has preserved the unequal treatment of people on the basis of race. When Ted Beal answered his phone that morning, September 23, the nightmare began for the CHHS administration. She called a reporter at the weekly Colleyville Courier and told him her story. THEATRE DEPARTMENT. People know each other. "We're talking about a very short period, weeks," district spokeswoman Robin McClure said. Contact info. The Colleyville Heritage Steroid Scandal After finding steroids in her son's athletic bag in September of 2004, a Colleyville Heritage mom approached school administrators after. Bryan knew who it was. The 18-year-old was arrested on charges of trespassing on school grounds and having a weapon in a place where its prohibited. Colleyville Heritage High School is a public high school of the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District located in Colleyville, TX. Thats how competitive it is.. About 20 showed up to the second meeting. He looked online and immediately saw a photo of him and his wife on the beach -- a photo shot by a professional photographer on their anniversary. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A high school principal at the center of a controversy in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is now on administrative leave. The parents shes known since Bryan played tee ball with their kids a dozen years ago ignore her. Can you take this picture down? MOM ON A MISSION: Lewis (left) admits that if she had known how her city would turn against her, how her son Bryan (right) would be ostracized, how her actions would be second-guessed by the police, it would have made her think twice. It was, 'Hey, I am trying to avoid any conflict. The Grapevine-Colleyville district has taken no action against the students and is reviewing school policies to determine whether disciplinary action will be taken, she said. Students at Colleyville Heritage High took the theme and ran with it in a Donald Trump-esqe direction before a game against Trinity High in Euless. I dont think that was crazy.. The high school has about 2,000 students in ninth through 12th grades. Copyright 2023, D Magazine Partners, Inc. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Earlier this week, Abbott asked the Texas Education Agency, along with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and the State Board of Education, to develop statewide standards preventing "obscene content in Texas public schools.". GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A high school principal at the center of a controversy in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is now on administrative leave. Dr. James Whitfield has been on administrative leave since late August. I know he is. Woman arrested in killing of 3 children at Italy, Texas, home in Ellis County, 41 North Texas congregations granted approval to leave the United Methodist Church, American Airlines, flight attendants file for mediation during contract negotiations, New Uptown office tower lands second major lease, Years after North Texas bid for Amazons second headquarters, retail giant halts plan, Mesquite to become the site of new 2,500-home community, North Texas builders see influx of activity in new year, but challenges persist, Mark Wahlberg pours tequila for fans at Dallas restaurant during thunderstorm, Chambelanes cambian de look: bailarines se adaptan a una nueva moda y ritmo en DFW, The Cowboys are closer than you think to a total makeover at running back, Stars notebook: Jamie Benn presented silver stick in honor of 1,000th career game, 12 Dallas-Fort Worth restaurants that have closed in 2023. It was at this moment that I knew the attack that we currently endure, was coming., In a statement to KXAS-TV (NBC5), the district said the photos it received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. Only one. Jones and Jacobson, sick that theyd inadvertently revealed Bryans identity, suggested that the papers lawyers could convince the school district to pay for Bryans tuition. Thank you for spreading love! If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Colleyville Heritage 31 Arlington Heights 41 Final Box Score All Contest Videos Oct 15, 2022 @ 2:59am Texas: Defensive Touchdowns from Weekend of Oct 7th, 2022 Watch this highlight video More Videos Oct 14, 2022 @ 5:54pm Contribute to the Team Complete the Schedule Add missing games to the schedule Complete the Roster After months of trying, Jones and Jacobson finally interviewed coach Chris Cunningham, who declined to talk to D Magazine through a spokeswoman and through his lawyers. Nor was the decision made in response to allegations Dr. Whitfield was teaching Critical Race Theory, or because of the photos on his social media account that were brought to the attention of the District in 2019. The agreement seemingly puts an end to Whitfields arduous battle with the school district that date backs to July 26, when he was first accused of teaching critical race theory during a Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District school board meeting by Stetson Clark, a former candidate for the district's school board. Everyone would forget about it soon enough. They know.. I wish I had the conviction to say, No, Im not going to take it down thats a picture of me and my wife kissing on the beach. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Dallas College. They had pieced together a clear picture of a serious problem. Its a stupid lawsuit. Example video title will go here for this video. Then she reached inside and took hold of the vial. "I wish I had the conviction to say, 'No, I'm not going to take it down; that's a picture of me and my wife kissing on the beach; there's no reason for me to take this photo down.'". Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Superintendent Robin Ryan announced Whitfield was being placed on leave in a message to parents Monday. But Colleyville police Detective Hillary Wreay said her department has received no information from the school on the alleged sale or distribution of steroids and has no investigation in progress. "When a social media concern is brought to the attention of the district, we have a responsibility to review it. From the moment I called the school, I didnt want him involved. Her discovery. He marched into his mothers room and paced in front of her. Mom, Im going over there. Catherine writes about breaking news, crime and the Dallas Zoo. Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. We understand that members of our community have questions, but the District does not resolve personnel matters in the media. CHHS is a big school, with more than 2,200 students and an operating budget of $136.5 million for the past school year (although $44.1 million of that went to Robin Hood payments). Are ticket costs pricing Houston Astros fans out of Opening Day? Thats it? Sports means everything to folks here, Bryan says. By about 6 p.m., all students had been dismissed and all buses had left the campus, according to the school district. Who knew? Colleyville Heritage High School in Texas hosted controversial event. James Whitfield, 43, principal at Colleyville Heritage High School, has been placed on leave by the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD after being accused of teaching critical race theory at his. That person was reported to the Colleyville police, she said. He meant half the players who mattered were juicing. I do miss some of my friends from Heritage, he says. In two sentences, theyd given Bryan away., Patrick arranged the [steroids purchase] with a couple of phone calls, paying $200 to a varsity football player. Under mounting pressure from district officials, local and national media, and law enforcement, a total of nine other CHHS athletes confessed to use of steroids and other PEDs. I look at the picture, and I look at the words above it, and it says, Is this the Dr. Whitfield we want leading our schools? I showed it to my wife, who immediately begins to well up with tears, said Whitfield, adding that he took it to mean that he was being criticized for being in an interracial relationship. Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Ive only chosen to speak out against baseless allegations after [the district] allowed a man to speak my name at the July 26 board meeting, he said. This PTA does not endorse n See more 636 people like this Dude, I think thats your mom.. 5401 Heritage Ave, Colleyville, Texas | (817) 305-4700. Aug. 31The Colleyville Heritage High School principal who was put on paid administrative leave after he was placed at the center of a critical race theory debate said he has been given no . They werent snitches. COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE. I just want to know, Why? She opened it wide and turned it to the light. Can you hide it?' She is suing the coach and the school district for $1.5 million because Cunningham said Lewis was a liar and crazy in an interview with the News. Some parents learned about the photo incident when they read Whitfields account on Facebook. None of the individuals had weapons on them, but a handgun was found in one of the students cars, police said. (Even though, technically, its in Euless.) It wont change anything. It didnt take long for more questions to come. Lewis begged him to calm down. ABSENCES. An 18-year-old man and a juvenile student are facing criminal charges after a handgun was found inside a student's car at Colleyville Heritage High School on Tuesday. He pulled forward into a parking space and waited on his friends, hoping everyone else would ignore him. His resignation wont be official until Aug. 15, 2023. Over the next year, he wants to work closely with educators and students, especially helping teachers who are fearful that what happened to him will happen to them. Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. The misspelled word had two arrows drawn toward it for emphasis. I think it's silly, I can't see why a husband and wife can't have a picture of them in a sweet moment.". Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. But no names were used. (CHHS officials declined to speak with D Magazine.) Nearly a year later, she still believes this. I think its sweet. No real names, anyway. The 18-year-old, who is not a student, and two juvenile students were located inside the school, police said. Do you value our journalism? On the bus, she read, careful not to catch anyones eye. A high school principal in Colleyville says his bosses ordered him to remove a photo of him embracing his wife from social media. We hid the photo, no one from above ever mentioned anything else about it, but the damage was inflicted on us in profound ways. Whitfield reached an agreement with Grapevine-Colleyville ISD after being accused of teaching critical race theory at his high school and placed on administrative leave. Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District. And, of course, making everyone in town proud, which is what winning does. Good Lord, Lewis thought. "It would be my hope that more rational minds prevail. Here is a look at the Top 3 girls teams in Class 5A. Colleyville Heritage High School 5401 Heritage Avenue Colleyville, TX 76034 P: (817) 305-4700 F: (817) 358-4765 E: chhs.info@gcisd.net Quick Facts Year Opened: 1996 Grades: 9th - 12th Enrollment: 1,984 Mascot: Panthers Principal: Julia Stephen Other Important Information/Procedures Hours First Bell: 8:40 a.m. School Ends: 4:00 p.m. As she waited, she overheard customers gabbing. James Whitfield, principal of. All four got out of the car. The school went on lockdown when the incident was reported. It had absolutely nothing to do with race., The photo that aired in initial media reports was not the only photo that was received by the District, Kristin Snively, executive director of communications for the district, wrote in an email to The Dallas Morning News. Where did you get them? Aria Jones, Breaking news reporter. School would be out soon. I knew it as soon as I finished the story. She didnt believe it. The foursome scrambled back into their car and took off. He said the district wouldn't tell him why. Anna Caplan, Special Contributor. For questions, to submit digital entries or to coordinate pickup of entries, please contact: Kacey Bess. The decision. Dangit, you got me!? It had absolutely nothing to do with race. Whether the district acted over concerns from parents over racial issues or the way the couple was posed, Roppollo said there was no reason to censor the principal. As a new campus principal, we wanted to provide a smooth transition for Dr. Whitfield to Heritage Middle School, which is why we advised him of the concern and made a request for the photos to be taken down from Facebook, it added. The tough drug-testing program that Grapevine-Colleyville has adopted. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. August 30, 2021 / 5:42 PM I am the first African American to assume the role of Principal at my current school in its 25-year history, and I am keenly aware of how much fear this strikes in the hearts of a small minority who would much rather things go back to the way they used to be, he wrote.