Andrews teacher files appeal on termination
Terri Ragland, a special education teacher in Andrews Independent School District, was proposed for termination by the board on Jan. 25 and on Tuesday she filed an appeal with the Texas Education Agency against the district’s decision.
On Jan. 25, the board unanimously proposed the termination of Ragland’s contract regarding some accusations by parents of neglect and verbal abuse to their child in Ragland’s elementary special education class.
Bobby Azam, superintendent of Andrews ISD, said proposing to terminate a teacher during their contract is a much more difficult process than a non-renewal at the end of the school year. Teachers with a contract have a right to appeal the decision, which Ragland did in a timely manner.
“Now we’re in a waiting game,” Azam said.
Azam said the next step in the appeal will be to have the TEA recommend some hearing officers that both Ragland’s attorney and the district’s attorney can agree upon. The hearing officer will go to the district and hear both arguments and make a report to the Andrews ISD board, where the decision will ultimately fall.
“It’s kind of like a trial,” Azam said.
The TEA now has 60 days to get the report to the board of its findings, which will have 20 days to make a final decision on Ragland’s employment.
Azam said this appeal is uncommon, and the first he has had to do as superintendent.
“These don’t happen very often,” Azam said.
