A coalition of parents, alumni, and teachers at David W. Carter High School in Dallas is publicly calling for the removal of Principal Troy Tyson. The group cites a range of serious allegations, including a lack of support for female athletic programs, minimal parent engagement, and creating a hostile campus environment.
The effort has gained significant momentum, with a petition nearing 500 signatures and formal complaints filed with the Dallas Independent School District (ISD). The community members are now demanding swift action from district leadership.
Key Takeaways
- Parents and alumni have organized as the Dallas Carter High Coalition Project to voice their concerns.
- Allegations include inequitable treatment of female athletes compared to male athletes.
- A formal Title IX complaint was submitted to Dallas ISD in October regarding these issues.
- The group claims the principal has blocked PTA meetings on campus and failed to respond to parent communications.
- A petition demanding the principal's removal has been circulating for four months and has almost 500 signatures.
A Coordinated Push for Change
The concerns over Principal Troy Tyson's leadership are not new, but the push for his removal has become more organized and vocal in recent months. The Dallas Carter High Coalition Project (DCHC Project), a group comprising parents, teachers, and school alumni, has been leading the charge.
The coalition sent two formal letters to Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde, one on October 7 and another more recently. These letters detail what they describe as a pattern of concerning behavior under Tyson's leadership.
"At the center of this storm is Principal Troy Tyson, whose tenure has been marked by intimidation, retaliation, and ethical decay," the group stated in its October 7 letter.
The DCHC Project claims these issues have persisted for years. Parent Keithsha Berry, a member of the coalition, noted her personal struggle with the administration. "It’s been three years, for me, dealing with him," Berry said. "Nothing is taking place. We’re still dealing with him."
Allegations of Athletic Inequity
Among the most serious accusations are claims of unequal support for female sports programs, which prompted the filing of a Title IX complaint with the district. Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education program that receives federal funding.
Parents have provided specific examples to support their claims. One parent wrote that the girls' basketball team was allegedly denied access to the school's shooting machine, a piece of equipment that was reportedly available for the boys' team to use.
By the Numbers
- ~500: Signatures on the petition calling for Principal Tyson's removal.
- 2: Formal letters sent to the Dallas ISD Superintendent by the DCHC Project.
- 1: Title IX complaint filed with the district in October.
- 3: Number of years one parent says she has been dealing with these issues.
Another report highlighted difficulties in securing a dedicated athletic period for female athletes. This class time is typically reserved for student-athletes to practice and train for their respective sports. These instances, parents argue, demonstrate a clear disparity in the administrative support provided to male and female students at Carter High.
Concerns Over Parent Engagement
Beyond athletics, parents feel systematically shut out of the school community. A major point of contention has been the alleged obstruction of Parent Teacher Association (PTA) activities.
Roshunda McClellan, the Carter High PTA president, addressed the Dallas ISD school board directly during a public meeting on April 24. She stated that the school's administration was actively blocking the PTA from holding its meetings on campus.
"Parents are frustrated with the lack of leadership at Carter High School. No return phone calls, emails, or engagement with parents," McClellan told the board.
This reported lack of communication and engagement has fueled frustration, leading many to believe their concerns are being ignored by both the school's leadership and the district.
Who is Principal Troy Tyson?
According to his school biography and public profiles, Troy Tyson has been an employee of Dallas ISD since 2002. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Southern University and A&M College and a master’s degree from Prairie View A&M University.
Community Demands District Intervention
The Carter High community feels emboldened by recent events at another Dallas ISD school. The district recently removed Chandra Hooper-Barnett, the principal of Woodrow Wilson High School, following controversy over an unsanctioned meeting she held with Black students regarding their academic performance.
Parents at Carter are now asking for what they see as equal treatment and urgency from district officials. They argue that the long-standing issues at their school warrant a similar decisive response.
"Our community has been asking and now we are demanding equal, equitable treatment," the DCHC Project wrote in a follow-up letter. "Carter families, community stakeholders and staff have raised major concerns for two years."
When asked for a response, a spokesperson for Dallas ISD stated that the district does not comment on personnel matters. Principal Tyson did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations. As the school community awaits a formal response, the pressure on district leadership continues to build.