James Whitfield: Axed Black principal told to remove FB pics with White wife
James Whitfield, a famed educator and the principal of Colleyville Independent School Heritage High School in Texas, has been removed by the district school board for allegedly promoting critical race theory, though he denied the same. Despite protests from students and activists, the Grapevine Colleyville Independent School District school board unanimously voted 7-0 to oust Whitfield from his position by not renewing his contract in the upcoming school year. He had been placed on administrative leave since August 2021 in the face of a series of grievances against him. However, many believe that Whitfield incurred the displeasure of many parents and school board members for intimate social media photos with his White wife.
Though the claims were refuted by the school district authorities, a student supporting principal Whitfield stated, "It’s honestly so undeserved and unjust on the part of the school board." Another senior student told CBS Local, "It’s been an overall negative effect and a lot of people in this district have felt as if something has shifted and it’s not for the better.” Meanwhile, upon his removal, Whitfield denied teaching CRT and said, "I believe every student regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, whatever bucket you want to put them in.. I believe they should have access to excellent equitable education. Yes, I said those words. Unfortunately, my unapologetic stance for those things has brought us here tonight which is disheartening.”
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A veteran educator and father-of-three, Whitfield was first flagged by a former school board candidate who accused him of promoting CRT. District officials placed him on administrative leave alleging that he has been propagating the idea on social media and in public, thereby "dividing large sections of the community by continuing to raise issues of Critical Race Theory." Soon afterward, Whitfield was also called out for a series of cozy beachside photos with his White wife, taken over a decade ago. The photos on Facebook, taken on the occasion of their wedding anniversary ten years ago, showed the couple hugging and kissing on a beach while being fully clothed and decent.
Officially, the school board fielded a series of complaints against him, involving non-compliance and ineffectiveness. Concerns were raised about his professional performance, communication skills and situational awareness. He was also accused of hiding public records by deleting sent and trash emails as well as failure to comply with official directives. The board members said that he did not adhere to the standards of professional conduct and were often disrespectful and insubordinate with his supervisors.
Whitfield's attorney refused to acknowledge the accuracy of the long list of grievances, while many students believed he was being unjustly axed. At the board meeting, his wife Kerrie said, "To watch individuals in leadership positions in this room who know my husband’s heart yet side with these very people, you know better and my hope is that you’ll do better."
Whitfield might now lose his job but he will be allowed to publicly defend his position once before a final vote on the matter.