DALLAS (KRLD) -The school board for DeSoto ISD has unanimously voted to rescind the resignation of Superintendent D'Andre Weaver. Weaver had been hired in 2018 to turn around the district's finances.
DeSoto ISD had laid off some staff and shut down a campus to correct a shortfall of $21.6 million. Last week, Weaver resigned and Don Hooper was appointed interim superintendent.
Hooper had been appointed "conservator" of the district in July. He was appointed to help the district develop a plan to balance its budget and lead the school board on personnel issues.
After he was appointed interim superintendent last week, social media posts were brought to the school board's attention. One mocked former NFL Quarterback Colin Kaepernick; another was posted the day after the Mueller report was released and said Democrats had not been "this mad at Republicans since we freed their slaves."
The DeSoto school board held an emergency meeting Sunday evening to rescind the appointment of Hooper as interim superintendent.
"I do want to say I have received and accepted Dr. Hooper's resignation," said School Board President Karen Daniel, saying he will no longer work for the district in any capacity.
Hooper did not attend the meeting but did issue an apology, saying the posts did not "reflect [his] leadership, character nor career."
But some parents signed up to comment during the meeting, which was held remotely via Zoom. No one spoke in support of Hooper, but many said they believe DeSoto ISD had done the right thing to bring back Weaver.
"I was happy they rescinded the resignation, and I think the reason they rescinded it is the pressure the community put on them," said Morris Pope. "Under the circumstances, I think he's done a great job. It was a very difficult job."
The Texas Education Agency announced last Wednesday another conservator was being appointed by the state to develop a "corrective action plan" and lead personnel issues. A.J. Crabill is a former deputy commissioner for the agency, and he will make the final decision on Weaver's return as superintendent.