Bowie High School Principal Reassigned After Admitting Violating District Rules; Top EPISD Official Also Reassigned

The interim superintendent of the El Paso Independent School District on Tuesday announced personnel changes in the wake of internal and federal investigations.

The changes include the reassignment of two top district officials.

Bowie High School principal Dr. Jesus Chavez and director of secondary schools Myrna Gamboa have been reassigned until the federal investigation is complete.

Interim superintendent Dr. Terri Jordan said at a news conference that it?s time for truth and transparency, but when peppered with questions of how much she knew about a scheme to hold students back or advance them to improve state testing numbers, she deflected the questions.

?I?ve cooperated entirely,? Jordan said when asked when she became aware of illegal activities between 2008 and 2011 when she served as EPISD chief of staff.

Jordan said district officials have been slow to release documents because of the ongoing federal investigation. She also said they haven?t made moves to remedy the situation because numerous forged documents have been found.

Chavez has been Bowie High School’s principal since February 2008. Jordan said that Chavez admitted to investigators that he violated district rules and that he said they had to bend policy.

A review of a May 2011 audit showed discrepancies on grade bumps.

“(That) seems wrong to conclude it was proper,” Jordan said at a morning news conference this morning.

Before becoming the principal at Bowie High School, Chavez was employed with the San Antonio Independent School District as a high school principal starting in July 2007, according to an EPISD announcement of his hiring four years ago. His previous experience included 14 years with the Socorro Independent School District.

While with the Socorro Independent School District, Chavez taught from October 1993-October 2001, served as a high school assistant principal from October 2001 until June 2005 and as principal of Paso Del Norte from June 2005 until June 2007.

Chavez’s professional platform, which was included with the announcement naming him Bowie principal, states “As the principal, I am the leader of the educational team, which is composed of administrators, teachers, and staff. As the principal, I accept that I alone am not able to run the school. Therefore, I am responsible for the establishment and growth of the educational team, which is responsive to the needs of its students, staff, district and community. The number one role of each student is to be prepared and open to learn the material presented by the teachers. Students must also partake in the efforts of creating a positive school environment enriched with traditions and expectations by being involved in activities, which exercise self-disciple and motivation. Teachers are the most important variable in the educational institution. Teachers are the ones that must connect with students by providing them with the most meaningful educational moments possible. Whether it is academic or social, teachers need to take advantage of every teachable moment.”

Related Links:Document: EPISD Internal Audit Interview Of Myrna GamboaDocument: EPISD Statement On Investigations, Personnel Changes