When a group of Black students at Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas were called for a meeting with the principal, they were clueless about would happen next. Principal Chandra Hooper-Barnett reportedly wanted to discuss the students’ academic performance, but instead, the meeting took a questionable turn.
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In Texas, public schools are graded on an A through F scale based on accreditation criteria, according to the Texas Education Agency. Woodrow Wilson High received a B this year — which is passing — but Hooper-Barnett was looking for an explanation for the drop in rating.
So, she gathered over 100 Black students and blamed them for the B score. “She said it in a derogatory manner,” a parent, Jennifer Bush, told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth. “I was really shocked she would say something like that.”
Eventually word got back to parents like Bush and the administration about the principal’s inappropriate behavior, and she was forced to release a statement. “I take full ownership and responsibility for what occurred,” Hooper-Barnett wrote to parents in a letter, obtained by the Daily Mail. “I want to assure you that it was never my intent to single out or cause harm to any group of students,” she continued.
Hooper-Barnett, a Black woman, went on to apologize for the meeting. “I understand my actions and decisions have caused disappointment and frustration, and for that, I sincerely apologize.” Still, the school took the matter seriously and she had been removed.
The school announced Danielle Petters has been appointed to serve as interim principal. Aaron Aguirre-Castillo, executive director of the Woodrow Wilson Vertical Team, penned a letter to families after the incident. “As you may know, a recent incident occurred on our campus that does not reflect the values and expectations of our school community,” he said.
“Please know that we hear your concerns and are taking the necessary steps to address this matter thoughtfully and thoroughly,” Aguirre-Castillo added. Although the school has taken swift and effective action against the distasteful incident, many parents fear the damage to their students has already been done.
“There is a trust that is broken between parents and students,” Bush continued. “Because if you guys do want to come up to an A rating, you have to put in the work as an administration, as a community. If we’re all striving for a goal, let’s do that together, and let’s not single out children.”
Hooper-Barnett worked in her position for the last three years. During her time, the school received a 83 this year, a 87 last year and a 88 the year before — all of which are B scores.
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