He told KXAS that he received an email at the time from a school administrator containing an image of himself and his wife, Kerrie, kissing on their anniversary trip. Catherine writes about breaking news, crime and the Dallas Zoo. Football players were calling him Patrick. Conversations stopped when he arrived. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. But if were really concerned about reputations here, whose reputation has been damaged more? Hes a good kid. Beal said she was not cooperating. No real names, anyway. The district told WFAA again Friday that the decision has nothing to. He hung up. She is suing the coach and the school district for $1.5 million because Cunningham said Lewis was a liar and crazy in an interview with the News. Oh, yeah, some of them are still doing it, Bryan says. All four got out of the car. All students and staff are safe, the school . She didnt feel proud that shed proven the school wrong. Hey, you little pussy, he said. Bryan may be able to help, but dont contact him at school. She worried he would be labeled a snitch if it became a public ordeal. "That show of love and support is a signal for me that in some form or fashion, I've made an impact in their lives and that's what I'm here to do," said Whitfield. Ive moved on. Who knew? She went to sleep thinking it was the right thing to do. As part of a settlement between Whitfield and the district, he will remain on paid administrative leave until then. The e-mails from parents who say they are too scared to be named publicly but who thank her for shaking up the CHHS administration and mighty football program. On the front page blared her sons story: Colleyville player says pressure to improve prompted steroid use.. 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The man, Stetson Clark, narrowly lost a school board race in May to the incumbent, Becky St. John. Kids need us! the principal added. He called a few buddies shortly before midnight and told them to meet him at Whataburger, one of the town hangouts. Do you value our journalism? Not one day has gone by that I havent had to deal with this or talk about it to someone. We hid the photo, no one from above ever mentioned anything else about it, but the damage was inflicted on us in profound ways. We remain committed to providing a learning environment that fosters and encourages student academic and extracurricular achievement, Ryan wrote. Example video title will go here for this video. Hes a happily married man. The story was long, one of several the Morning News would run that week concerning steroid use. Mother and son had always been close, though. But he said trouble began as far back as 2019 when someone complained to administrators he was setting a "bad example" by posting pictures of himself kissing his wife on Facebook. James Whitfield, 43, principal at Colleyville Heritage High School, has been placed on leave by the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD after being accused of teaching critical race theory at his. I am the first African American to assume the role of Principal at my current school in its 25-year history, and I am keenly aware of how much fear this strikes in the hearts of a small minority who would much rather things go back to the way they used to be, he wrote. Im used to it.. So I wouldnt feel comfortable mowing your lawn.. It has 2,123 students in grades 9th through 12th. Weve always been close, but since this, its been tough. Then on July 26 of this year, a former school board candidate named Stetson Clark stepped up to the microphone during a public comment period to accuse Whitfield of being an advocate for critical race theory: the idea that racism runs deep and continues to shape American society today. He says that many of the football players at Colleyville were introduced to steroids by someone from a nearby rival. A Black North Texas principal has agreed to resign after being put on paid administrative leave in August amid accusations he was teaching and promoting critical race theory. Just over a month later, the district has suspended Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield without explanation, he told The Washington Post on Tuesday. Lewis made it clear that they could not take her son out of class to talk to him. Critical race theory, or CRT, is an academic discipline usually taught at the university level. To the kids, it wasnt just about making coaches happy. Lt. Gov. Who is available? No spam, ever. CHHS PTSA Reflections Chair. The school became the focus of national attention during a 2005 steroid scandal involving multiple student-athletes. Perhaps that would spur someone to investigate the problem more aggressively. "What he's done is said listen, we teach lots of different types of kids. He wrote on Facebook that he could not ask others to speak up if he wont and just because I am a school administrator that does not take away my rights and ability to be human and defend myself.. The Colleyville Heritage Steroid Scandal After finding steroids in her son's athletic bag in September of 2004, a Colleyville Heritage mom approached school administrators after. McClure said school officials held meetings and questioned students, but nobody admitted to using the muscle-building substances. A few days later, he dialed the players cell phone to arrange delivery, reaching him in an SAT preparation class.. And the News reporters agreed that they wouldnt identify any of the other students who Bryan knew or suspected used steroids. The vial had been photographed on Bryans glass dining room table, and the students were examining the fuzzy reflections in the glass to figure out whose house it was. One section on the report's website was called "Colleyville Heritage's team secret". The school district told KXAS in a statement: When a social media concern is brought to the attention of the district, we have a responsibility to review it. First published on August 30, 2021 / 5:42 PM. At the first public hearing the school district held to discuss the issue, including spending money for more drug testing, not one parent showed up. All rights reserved, Highlighter: North Texas Students Help NASA Scientists, Educational Trailers Stolen After Presentations at Dallas Schools, Novak Djokovic Denied' US Entry Ahead Of Indian Wells, Joe Biden Asked To Intervene, Counseling Services Offered After Three Children Killed, Two Hurt In Ellis County, Check Your Change! Officers were called around 3:20 p.m. to the campus in the 5400 block of Heritage Avenue about a man with a gun. He marched into his mothers room and paced in front of her. The University Interscholastic League, which sets rules for competition in Texas high school sports, has no policy on steroids. It read nandrolone decanoate.. The story said one boy admitted to using them. COLLEYVILLE - Nine Colleyville Heritage High School students involved in football and other athletics have admitted to using steroids, district officials said Friday. # 1,954 in National Rankings. The misspelled word had two arrows drawn toward it for emphasis. Lets go, then, he said. In a letter to parents Monday, Superintendent Robin Ryan wrote that Whitfield has been placed on leave but that he would not go into the specifics because it is a personnel matter., Whitfield, the schools first Black principal, told The Dallas Morning News on Monday night that he was told he was put on leave indefinitely because the superintendent has determined that doing so is in the best interest of the District.. Whitfield reached an agreement with Grapevine-Colleyville ISD after being accused of teaching critical race theory at his high school and placed on administrative leave. Its a smart school, too, well above state and national averages in students ACT and SAT scores. I am the first African American to assume the role of Principal at my current school in its 25-year history, and I am keenly aware of how much fear this strikes in the hearts of a small minority who would much rather things go back to the way they used to be, he wrote. What did you expect him to say? Nearly a year later, she still believes this. Brings new meaning to the phrase Sunday Funday. She said it to calm her son. By about 6 p.m., all students had been dismissed and all buses had left the campus, according to the school district. RANKINGS star-telegram.com/article2703187 #txhssoccer Read more about this topic: Colleyville Heritage High School, Athletics Other articles related to "steroid controversy, steroid, steroids": Jones and Jacobson, sick that theyd inadvertently revealed Bryans identity, suggested that the papers lawyers could convince the school district to pay for Bryans tuition. Overall Score 89.05 /100. I knew what I was getting into. In fact, she knows that by filing a slander suit against the schools football coach, Chris Cunningham, she has only invited more recrimination. Over time, Bryan began to trust them and open up. (817) 305-4700. Ironically, it was the place where hed purchased his steroids. We've received your submission. One of the students was detained on a charge of having a weapon in a place where its prohibited, police said. One of those parents complained. Stressed over the accusations, Whitfield said he couldn't shake the photo incident of 2019 from his head and the district's conclusion the photo was inappropriate. They had the Courier article spread out, and several people were closely eyeing the photo accompanying the story. Other people in the audience shouted in support and cheered when Clark made his remarks. We need to make sure we're providing a healthy environment for all of them. Lawmakers eventually passed House Bill 3979, which restricts how teachers can discuss current events, encourage civic engagement and teach about Americas history of racism. Nor was the decision made in response to allegations Dr. Whitfield was teaching Critical Race Theory, or because of the photos on his social media account that were brought to the attention of the District in 2019. Im gonna kick your ass.. The next day, Lewis picked up her Sunday Morning News and boarded a chartered bus to Austin for a sales meeting. At a board meeting a few weeks before last weeks, the parent group accused Whitfield by name which is against school board meeting rules. Only 22,000 people live in Colleyville. When Bryan got inside, Lewis pointed the bottle at him. Bryan knew who it was. The students created a fake wall with the. They were identified merely as the athlete and his mother.. Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield has faced sharp criticism from some parents who are accusing him of teaching critical race theory. The foursome scrambled back into their car and took off. "We're talking about a very short period, weeks," district spokeswoman Robin McClure said. They werent snitches. They asked Bryan to relive every detail. Its a stupid lawsuit. They are: 1. Shows are now Feb. 3 (Fri.), 4 (Sat. Whitfield, who was named principal of Colleyville Heritage High School ahead of the 2020-21 school year, has been accused online and in board meetings of teaching critical race theory and promoting a belief that white people are inherently racist. And, of course, making everyone in town proud, which is what winning does. She makes mention of that one time someone said or did something to her daughter relating to the steroids backlash, but when I ask about it, she says she wont talk about it. McClure said the school began investigating the matter in October. He will step down as principal at Colleyville Heritage High School and remain on paid leave until 2023. first accused of teaching critical race theory during a Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District school board meeting. He was just letting her know that he wasnt alone. She called a reporter at the weekly Colleyville Courier and told him her story. ON FEBRUARY 12, A SATURDAY, LEWIS WALKED into a salon to have her hair done. "I chalk it up to educators are held to a different standard, unfortunately. She laughs about it more than she complains. He decided in the summer to concentrate on baseball. She demanded to know why he was taking steroids. I know he is. Catherine Marfin, Breaking News Reporter. People know each other. For nearly 10 years, she wrote restaurant reviews for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and her work has appeared in 360 West, Eater Dallas, Edible DFW, A+C magazine, D CEO, GlobeSt.com and Houstonia magazine. I thought, Wow, that didnt work. Tickets for cancelled shows will be honored at these performances. EVEN THOUGH LEWIS HAD PULLED BRYAN out of school, he was still getting hassled. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Turner: TEA is giving Houston ISD two optionsclose school or be taken over, Two ocelots were photographed crossing a road in rare South Texas sighting, Houston Rockets poised to reap benefits from Eric Gordon trade, Willie Nelson's new album is a lovely tribute to a fellow country legend, Hiker captures 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo of wildlife at Brazos Bend State Park, Why Johnson City in Texas Hill Country is the new, cooler Fredericksburg. Except for a few friends, he felt ostracized. They needed more information. How many of them bought needles for players? His friend stopped him. Colleyville Heritage High School. We will not sit silently while these individuals continue their bigoted attacks. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - Dozens of students and parents rallied outside Grapevine-Colleyville ISD's school board meeting Monday night, August 23, to show support for Colleyville. Theres SO much, but I am beyond humbled by the kindness, support, love, & encouragement being shown to me and my family, he said in a tweet. She was sad that shed been proven right. Normally, the school dismisses at 4 p.m., a district spokesman said, but around 5:15 p.m. the district tweeted that it was doing a controlled dismissal of all students.. I look at the picture, and I look at the words above it, and it says, Is this the Dr. Whitfield we want leading our schools? I showed it to my wife, who immediately begins to well up with tears, said Whitfield, adding that he took it to mean that he was being criticized for being in an interracial relationship. Lewis was stunned. Texas Teacher of the Year keeps focus on students to drown out political noise, 'Its about a happy classroom': Garland ISD focusing on social emotional learning. No big deal, Bryan thought. His decision. Its been a roller coaster for him, she says. Alphabet L - Z. lesli.ware@gcisd.net. The high school has about 2,000 students in ninth through 12th grades. Read more about CRT here. Youget home! she told him. Minutes later, her son, Bryan Dyer (Lewis remarried in 1993), walked out of the school with a friend and headed toward his truck. The Grapevine-Colleyville ISD school board voted unanimously on a proposal Monday not to renew the contract of suspended Heritage High School principal James Whitfield. The weekend before the series was to run, a fax came to the Morning News. The titles in the list range from children's books and anti-bullying tips to novels that discuss racism and sexuality. This one held something. by Brian Lopez One day in the lunchroom, Bryan walked up to a group of students gathered around a table. A black high school principal in Texas said he was told by a district official to remove an anniversary photo from Facebook of himself kissing his white wife so as not to stir up stuff amid complaints from parents, according to reports. She stared at the label, trying to concentrate as her heart rate spiked. [2] Colleyville Heritage High School celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006. I just want to get on with my life. I dont think that was crazy.. His resignation wont be official until Aug. 15, 2023. , Chris Cunningham says hes trying to do something about the problem so it doesnt happen again. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This story has been shared 117,245 times. THE SECRETARY AT COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL asked Lori Lewis for her sons last name. I love them, they love me," Whitfield said in an interview with WFAA's Jason Whitely on the same day the students walked out of school to support him. Besides, she said. It centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nations institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people in society. And while her son was fighting his battles, Lewis was fighting hers. "As this is an ongoing personnel matter, we will not comment further. Colleyville Heritage High School's new principal, Dr. James Whitfield, is now speaking out saying he wishes he could've taken more of a stand in 2019 after his photo first stirred up. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. In a Sept. 1 written statement the district said: "The District has received numerous questions regarding the decision to place Dr. James Whitfield on paid administrative leave. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Superintendent Robin Ryan announced Whitfield was being placed on leave in a message to parents Monday. reflections@chhsptsa.org. Focusing on unique things school districts are doing to help children succeed. Too many of them are, but this one certainly is. They could not tell anyone her identityor else, as she put it, I will sue you. Given the extreme care administrators used with her identity in e-mail correspondence during the next few months (obtained by D Magazine), they took her threat seriously. Meanwhile, a petition in support of Whitfield has garnered hundreds of signatures, and he said hes humbled for all the support hes received. In December, however, nine students involved in football and other unspecified sports came forward and said they used steroids last spring. ", Grapevine-Colleyville ISD issued the following statement Monday. How did you get the syringes? It was at this moment that I knew the attack that we currently endure, was coming., In a statement to KXAS-TV (NBC5), the district said the photos it received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. But on Friday morning, students marched out of school to protest his treatment by Grapevine-Colleyville ISD administration, and to demand that their beloved principal be brought back to the campus. Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. James Whitfield, who was named Colleyville Heritage High School's first African-American principal in 2020, posted that during the July 26 board meeting, he was publicly named and accused of . I have done nothing wrong by anyone, Whitfield said. MLB legend makes surprise appearance at Astros' Spring Training, Houston is ugly, and I've never felt more at home, Texas A&M upset win clears path for UH to snag top overall seed, This is what Houston looks like from space, Oops! The school district has called the photos questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator, and they said it has nothing to do with race. 12. The driver said he was friends with one of the players who used steroids. An anonymous parent called the high school and said football players were using steroids, which are illegal to use or possess in Texas without a prescription, and that the school's football coach condoned it. In the ensuing days, Whitfield found himself at the center of the debate over how race is taught in Texas schools. Dave Denning, a former Grapevine High School principal, will serve as interim leader of the campus, Ryan said. COLLEYVILLE - Nine Colleyville Heritage High School students involved in football and other athletics have admitted to using steroids, district officials said Friday. It was at this moment that I knew the attack that we currently endure, was coming, the principal wrote on Facebook. Faking it wasnt easy. The CHHS teacher who cornered her in the parking lot after the second public hearing and told her many teachers supported her but were afraid to speak out. She knew he didnt mean that literally more than half the Colleyville football team was on steroids. And when he went to his truck after school, there was a sheet of notebook paper under his windshield wiper with one word scrawled across it: SNITCH.. The schools denial. He said he agreed to take some of the photos down. Thank you for spreading love! On their cardboard, handmade wall, they wrote: 'Paid for by . On February 4, the Morning News dropped that bombshell and used quotes and information from their interviews with Lewis and Bryan. 8:06 PM on Aug 30, 2021 CDT Updated at 1:21 PM on Sep 1, 2021 CDT. District: Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District (ISD) SchoolDigger Rank: 370th of 1,876 Texas High Schools. ", "Anything that has to do with being inclusive, having a safe and nurturing environment for all students, they want to attach that to CRT, because it's the boogeyman buzzword of the day," added Whitfield. That person was reported to the Colleyville police, she said. GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A high school principal at the center of a controversy in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is now on administrative leave. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Woman in viral pizza rant now facing ethnic harassment charges, Murdaugh Judge Clifton Newman: From segregated schools to the best we want in our jurists, NYC DOE probing anti-white texts linked to black superintendent, Black children attack, force white kids to say Black Lives Matter at Ohio school: video. The parents shes known since Bryan played tee ball with their kids a dozen years ago ignore her. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Then she reached inside and took hold of the vial. Sitting in her living room, Lewis moans slightly and puts her head down when her son explains what his life is like now: I just want this to be over, Bryan, 17, says. They said, Could you take it down? No one from above ever mentioned anything else about it, but the damage was inflicted on us in profound ways, he wrote. And during the second special session, lawmakers successfully passed Senate Bill 3, a more restrictive version of the House bill that will replace HB 3979 on Dec. 2. The decision to place Dr. Whitfield on administrative leave was not a result of statements made by members of the public, including those who spoke at recent meetings of the GCISD Board of Trustees. There were also names. Media pundits like Hansen say she should shut up and let it be. Enjoy unlimited access to all of our incredible journalism, in print and digital. The photos were from an anniversary trip. But James Whitfield said he took it to mean the issue was he was in an interracial relationship. Earlier this week, Abbott asked the Texas Education Agency, along with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and the State Board of Education, to develop statewide standards preventing "obscene content in Texas public schools.". Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. During the following months, the reporters put together their package of stories. If I called your boss and said your kids and their friends are using drugs, my kid says youre looking the other way and not doing anything about it and thats not true, what would you say? The school district announced Monday,. Thats what everybody should be doing. The 18-year-old, who is not a student, and two juvenile students were located inside the school, police said. 562. A few parents blamed Lewis for making this an issue. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied journalism and public relations. He sold her the needles.. Colleyville Heritage High School principal James Whitfield has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to Grapevine-Colleyville . Only one. Sort of. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Dallas College. "Because of his extreme views I ask that a full review of Mr. Whitfield's tenure in our district be examined and that his contract be terminated effective immediately," said Clark, who lost a recent campaign to join the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD school board. Some in the district have accused him of implementing critical race theory in the classroom. 972-983-4822 cell. The coaches had told him to get bigger and stronger if he wanted to earn a starting position, he said. Are insane ticket costs pricing Astros fans out of Opening Day? No, she said. They were changed to Patrick and Michelle. Arent they illegal now? The one thing that bothers Lewis is how this has affected her family. Ive only chosen to speak out against baseless allegations after [the district] allowed a man to speak my name at the July 26 board meeting, he said. (Everyone already knew, she says.) Keeping Score: FC Dallas lights up the sky and the net on 80s night vs. LA Galaxy, 71-year-old man with dementia missing in Fort Worth, Expect mostly sunny skies this weekend after severe weather hits North Texas, Keller ISD teacher says school administrators asked him to remove Black Lives Matter banner in classroom, 'If I fold, what do they have left?' Since then, the district has stressed the move has nothing to do. On July 31, Whitfield responded to the claims in a lengthy Facebook post. Gregg Jones and Gary Jacobson sat at Lewis kitchen table, in her upper-middle-class, redbrick home, on a quiet street in Colleyville, and grilled the mother and son for hours, during several interview sessions. Dude, I think thats your mom.. Lewis told Beal that her son had used steroids, that he obtained them from other kids on the team, that they got them from someone at the nearby Whataburger. It would be my hope finally someone listens to the students because ultimately that's who we're here to serve. By Hannah Natanson Photos and. She says she never used the word condone, and her demeanor in all those phone calls was completely appropriate. The district had no additional comments Monday night because it is an ongoing personnel matter, a spokeswoman said in a prepared statement. Colleyville Heritage High School in Texas hosted controversial event. Lewis pulled him out of CHHS and would soon enroll him in a nearby private school. Colleyville Heritage High School Principal James Whitfield opened up in a lengthy Facebook post on July 31 about the incident from 2019 shortly after he had been promoted to the top post at the middle school. GPA is calculated on a 4.0 weighted GPA scale. She didnt take long to make her decision: Bring it on.. Some of the photos the district received contained poses that are questionable for an educator, especially a principal or administrator. He rolled it down. Hes on his third cycle.. Live. Can you believe those boys using steroids? one asked. Colleyville Heritage High School went on lockdown Tuesday afternoon, March 1. Can you hide it? and I asked, Why? Love will! (CHHS officials declined to speak with D Magazine.) Dr. James Whitfield, the former principal at Colleyville Heritage High School, filed a $250,000 defamation lawsuit against Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District and board member Tammy . James Whitfield, principal of. They would cooperate fully with the News reporters, but they wouldnt give anyone up. So when Bryan pulled into the drive-thru and ordered, he wasnt surprised to see people he knew. Theyre mad at my mom because shes messing with that.. Whitfield added that he has no regrets over what has transpired over the last couple of months, hes happy that he stood up for what he believed in and he hopes thats what people can learn from his situation. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.