Teachers frustrated as Clint superintendent won’t let them bring their kids to class and ‘take up resources’

CLINT, Texas -- Teachers in the Clint Independent School District are facing a dilemma.

Some educators reached out to ABC-7, upset over the options presented by the Clint ISD superintendent as they transition to classrooms.

In a closed meeting on Aug. 25, Superintendent Juan Martinez told teachers they needed to be back in the classroom. Dr. Martinez said that also applied to teachers who were teaching virtually.

In a recording obtained by ABC-7, some teachers asked if they could bring their school-aged children to their classrooms. Martinez is heard saying no. In the recording, he acknowledged it was not about liability, but that he didn't want the kids using district resources like water and restrooms.

In the recording, Martinez also said the teachers could enroll their kids in Clint schools. He added, "I'm going to be very honest with you. As I keep saying, that is strictly my decision. ... I believe that our resources, our schools, our system, everything else is intended for our students. Students that go somewhere else are not our responsibility."

The teachers did not want to talk on camera for fear of retaliation. But they told ABC-7 they were upset and distressed over superintendent's decision.

The options force the teachers to either find child care or to pull their children from their current schools.

ABC-7 asked Martinez to respond to the concerns.

Martinez maintains that only students enrolled in district schools can use district resources, and the teachers are welcome to enroll their children.

"I really don't see what the complaint is when we are saying, 'Your children are welcome,'" Martinez told ABC-7 in a video interview. "And if we are providing a high quality education for our children, then what is the issue."

After the original report aired on ABC-7, Dr. Martinez emailed to clarify that the teachers were aware of his stance of not accommodating students who did not attend Clint schools.

He added, "The request to accommodate children who are enrolled, in some cases, in charter schools or private schools, would be contrary to the trust bestowed on me as a superintendent of the Clint Independent School District."

Martinez added that some teachers enrolled their children in Clint ISD, totaling 175 students.