Allie Spillyards

Irving ISD Superintendent Out

The Irving Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to accept the resignation of superintendent Jose Parra at a special meeting called Monday.

The board said little about the decision other than to release a statement which read in part, "The board and superintendent have entered into the agreement believing it to be in their respective best interests."

Parra joined the district at the beginning of 2014 after several years as superintendent of Lockhart ISD.

A large group of former district employees attended Tuesday's meeting and applauded the board's announcement. They claimed district leadership was to blame for high turnover and low morale, saying now it's time for the district to heal.

"People need to feel valued. They need to feel appreciated. There needs to be systems in place for communication for a third-year plan… how our kids are going to achieve what they need to achieve. We don't have that currently," said Beverly Wilson, who retired from the district after Parra arrived in 2014.

The district, however, called the decision a mutual one. 

"On behalf of the entire district, the board of trustees expresses its sincere appreciation to Dr. Parra for his efforts while serving as Superintendent of this District and its students, parents, and administrators, and for the many achievements and accomplishments of the entire district team during Dr. Parra's tenure as Superintendent," read board president Randy Randle from a prepared statement.

Following the vote, the board moved to name Deputy Superintendent of Administrative Services Magda Hernandez as acting superintendent. Hernandez has been with the district for 23 years.

Parra will stay on as a district employee through March 31, 2019. The district said that was to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

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