GP Teachers Taking Action Against Superintendent
GRAND PRAIRIE (CBSDFW.COM) - Nineteen Grand Prairie teachers have filed a class action grievance against the school district's superintendent.
The teachers and the Grand Prairie NAACP accuse Dr. Susan Hull of showing favoritism when it comes to hiring and contracts.
MORE: Grand Prairie Teacher Opens Investigation Into Own District's Hiring
Grand Prairie's NAACP leader used the backdrop of the school district's headquarters to call for an investigation of Superintendent Hull.
"The taxpayers of GPISD deserve answers from the board of trustees. How is it they are allowing Dr. Susan Simpson-Hull all to continue to conduct business in the manner they are conducting it," said Angela Luckey with the NAACP.
The civil rights group, along with 19 teachers, have filed a grievance with the school board alleging the superintendent has passed over minority applicants for jobs in favor of white friends and two family members. "We believe the hiring process should be a fair process without systematic discrimination practices," says Luckey.
A spokesperson for the superintendent denies accusations of nepotism and says Dr. Hull's daughter and cousin do not report to her.
"We did at that time look at those the specifics of those hires. We did work with TEA to make sure we are within the guildines of what is defined in law as nepotism," said Sam Buchmeyer with the district.
The school district also released the racial background of its entire staff to show that 43 percent of district employees are minorities.
It will be up to the school district's Board of Trustees to decide whether the allegations will be investigated. If they choose not to, those critical of the superintendent say they will ask an outside agency to investigate.
Science teacher Bart Scott, who initially brought up the allegations against Dr. Hull, isn't hopeful. "The school board is unwilling to do anything against Dr. Hull and they have viewed all these accusation as a disgruntled employee simply complaining and that is the furthest thing from the truth."
Scott says since he started speaking out, he has been retaliated against and his job threatened. Scott now hopew with the NAACP behind him, there will be some accountability.
