Four EPISD principals put on administrative leave
The principals for El Paso High, Burges High, Austin High, and Center for Career and Technical Education have all been reassigned to administrative duty, according to sources close to the El Paso Independent School District.
A receptionist at Burges said on Wednesday afternoon that Principal Randall Wood was not on campus and not sure when he would return.
John Tanner was the principal at Austin and Kristine Ferret was the principal at El Paso High. Luis C. Loya was the principal of CCTE.
Ferret became principal of EPHS at the start 2013. She was previously principal at Ross Middle school.
Interim EPISD Superintendent Vernon L. Butler released the following statement:
“This has been an exceedingly difficult time for everyone in the El Paso Independent School District. The prolonged negative attention on our District has been unfortunately overshadowing much of the outstanding work by our students, teachers, staff and administrators.
“However, our work has not yet been concluded. We have a responsibility to our District, students, parents, community, Congressman, State Senator, County Judge, City Council representatives, TEA, EPISD Task Force, the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce and the Commissioner of Education to follow through with consequences stemming from the illegal actions of the former superintendent.
“Commissioner Williams stated that EPISD must act against employees who participated in the cheating. He and many of our elected officials also have criticized the District for not moving quickly enough. I want to assure you that the District is making the necessary changes to move forward.
“Individuals affected will go through the proper personnel procedure and face the appropriate action. However, out of respect for those individuals and the process, the District will not provide further comment at this time.”
