GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — It has been one heck of a week for many in Grand Prairie -- and it's only getting more complicated.
“With the water and the superintendent, it’s like Grand Prairie is going crazy right now,” said Lupita Rodriguez, a Grand Prairie ISD parent.
Wednesday’s special Grand Prairie ISD board meeting was just the tip of the iceberg. In a 5-2 vote, the board of trustees placed Superintendent Dr. Jorge Arrendondo on paid administrative leave while an investigation continues to be conducted.
Arrendondo was the lone finalist in the district’s superintendent search and spent just three months on the job. “I was in shock. He just got here,” said Rodriguez.
She, like others, is wondering why this happened.
“That makes you wonder what's going on behind doors," Rodriguez said. "Why are they not telling us?"
Grand Prairie resident Ed Gray, who has grandchildren who are students in the district, said: "You don't have a process in which the individual is chosen in May, and then well before fall even actually begins, we’re deciding now whether or not to put him on administrative leave."
Gray tried to attend Wednesday’s meeting. However, the doors were supposedly locked -- not just physically either.
"The doors are locked when it comes to trust with the people of Grand Prairie, and we need to open those doors up again,” said Gray.
Grand Prairie ISD released the following statement on the recent events:
At a special board meeting held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, the Grand Prairie Independent School District (GPISD) Board of Trustees made the decision to place Superintendent Jorge L. Arredondo on paid administrative leave in order to protect the District and Dr. Arredondo, effective immediately.
Deputy Superintendent of Business Operations, Tracy Ray, has been appointed as Acting Superintendent to ensure the continued smooth operation of the district.
“Because this is an ongoing investigation, there will be no additional comment from this Board,” said Board President Amber Moffitt. “We believe all parties will be treated fairly with a high level of professionalism by the outside third-party law firm that is conducting the investigation.”
The District remains committed to the success of our students, staff, and the Grand Prairie ISD community.
However, not all trustees were in support. Board Trustee David Espinosa told WFAA there was not enough evidence to place Dr. Arrendondo on leave. “I believe this seems like a witch-hunt driven by political motives,” said Espinosa in Wednesday’s meeting.
WFAA reached out to the district’s legal representative and Dr. Arrendondo but has not received a response.
In 2022, Dr. Arrendondo stepped down as superintendent at Pharr-San Juan Alamo ISD which underwent a financial audit the following year.
Now, with questions for Grand Prairie ISD still unanswered, many residents have become frustrated.
“What I feel now is a waste of taxpayer dollars," said Gray. "We’re going to end up having to pay somebody something. If we decide to go ahead and terminate the contract of the superintendent, we’re going to have to give him some money to go. But that doesn’t make me feel good at all."
The district’s next board meeting is Thursday, Sept. 12.