The Texas Education Agency appears to be ready to take over Desoto Independent School District’s due to multiple questions of financial problems.
The school board accepted Dr. D’Andre Weaver’s resignation during an emergency meeting Sunday night. The reason for his resignation was not made public.
Weaver’s term started with investigations into unethical practices including more than $300,000 in travel expenses. Former board member Jerry Hall said the school board refused to do anything about inappropriate spending.
The 18-page TEA report indicates former administration employees could face a criminal investigation for fifty fraudulent credit card purchases to fictitious vendors. His efforts met resistance from some board members who had the ultimate say over him.
Texas Education Agency Next Steps
The TEA is now recommending the troubled district be taken out of the hands of the divided school board. The Desoto ISD Board of Trustees accepted Weaver’s resignation after ninety minutes in executive session.
The Desoto ISD example may be a warning of things to come given Dallas’ own sudden departures. The auditor scandal has still not been explained and may effect the bond vote. There have also been recent accusations that Dallas ISD was trying to box out minority contractors – first inferred by Trustee Maxie Johnson and then seconded by Next Generation Action Network’s Dominique Alexander.