Tense TEA hearings continue for EPISD administrators

A tense atmosphere at the El Paso County Courthouse Tuesday morning as a Texas Education Agency hearing into several former Bowie High School administrators continued, often interrupted by objections or motions from all sides.

Former Bowie principal Jesus Chavez was on the stand under cross examination by Tony Conners and Mark Berry, attorneys for former Bowie assistant principals Juan Manuel Duran and Anna Luisa Kell respectively.

Chavez gave direct testimony Monday on his and others’ involvement in trying to keep certain student populations like Limited English Proficient students from taking 10th grade state standardized tests.

Conners extensively questioned Chavez on a series of emails and correspondence he had with the FBI and TEA, in particular ones referring to offering evidence or testimony for the agencies along with deposition testimony on the subject.

Based on the questioning and a deposition showing Chavez had invoked fifth amendment rights against self-incrimination during a deposition about a deal with authorities, Conners moved to have all of Chavez’s testimony taken off the record.

Arguing Chavez was acting as an agent for the TEA, Connors said “I would re-urge… the factual basis of our argument” that Chavez was testifying in exchange for a deal.

Berry joined in on the motion.

In response, TEA attorney Merle Dover said “I would object strenuously to that argument. There is no agreement pending with Dr. Chavez.” She went on to argue, “The fact that he was forthcoming and came to is with the truth right from the beginning is what sets him apart,” and said Chavez was not an agent for the TEA.

Visiting Administrative Law Judges Holly Vandrovec and Pratibha Shenoy overruled the motion to strike testimony. The hearing broke for lunch shortly after noon and continues Tuesday afternoon.

None of the administrators in the hearing are facing criminal charges, but could be stripped of their teaching licenses and certificates.