Plano Independent School District trustees voted 7-0 Thursday night to send Brinker Elementary Principal Jennifer King a termination and nonrenewal letter, beginning the process of ending her employment amid a civil lawsuit alleging she failed to report an earlier warning about former teacher Paul Campbell.
The district has not publicly disclosed the grounds for the employment action. King has not been criminally charged, and Plano police have not accused her of a crime.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, King had been placed on leave after Campbell’s July 8 arrest and faced possible termination as the district dealt with the criminal case and related litigation.
Board moves after closed session
Trustees met in a special-called meeting Thursday and spent nearly two hours in closed session before the unanimous vote, CBS News Texas reported. The board action authorizes the district to send King notice of proposed termination and nonrenewal; it does not establish the allegations in the pending civil case as fact.
The vote makes King the second Brinker employee to face board termination action since Campbell’s arrest. Trustees previously moved to terminate Campbell’s employment after his initial arrest.
Lawsuit alleges earlier warning was not reported
The July 30 petition filed in Collin County by the parents of an 8-year-old student alleges King received at least one report from another Brinker parent about inappropriate touching by Campbell before the abuse alleged in the lawsuit. It claims King did not notify law enforcement, report the matter to the State Board for Educator Certification or increase supervision of Campbell.
The lawsuit also alleges another parent later asked to transfer a child out of Campbell’s class and that King denied the request without investigating Campbell’s conduct. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Texas Education Agency guidance says suspected child abuse must be reported to the Department of Family and Protective Services or law enforcement within 24 hours. Principals must report qualifying educator misconduct to their superintendent within 48 hours. The lawsuit alleges King failed to make required reports; no court has ruled on that claim.
The state’s current educator reporting requirements are detailed by the Texas Education Agency.
Campbell remains jailed
Campbell, 64, was arrested July 8 after a second-grade student reported alleged inappropriate touching. Plano police later obtained three additional warrants after other students came forward. He faces one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and three counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact.
Campbell’s attorney, Todd Shapiro, has said his client denies the allegations. Campbell remained in the Collin County jail Thursday on $2.5 million bond, and a bond hearing is scheduled for August 20. Campbell is presumed innocent unless convicted.
Provided by Dallas Express
