The Lubbock Independent School District (LISD) Board of Trustees has publicly addressed an ongoing investigation into Superintendent Dr. Kathy Rollo by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). In a formal statement, Board President Ryan Curry affirmed the board's full support for Dr. Rollo and clarified that a temporary flag on her educator certificate is a result of a new, automatic TEA policy that is applied to all complaints, regardless of their nature.
Key Takeaways
- Lubbock ISD Board President Ryan Curry issued a statement regarding a TEA complaint against Superintendent Dr. Kathy Rollo.
- Dr. Rollo's educator certificate has been flagged, which Curry explained is an automatic procedure under a new TEA policy for all complaints.
- The board was first made aware that a complaint would be filed in February and was officially notified in May.
- The statement emphasized the board's "full support" for Dr. Rollo, highlighting her transparency throughout the process.
- A significant backlog of cases at the TEA is reportedly causing delays in the review process.
Board President Addresses Community Concerns
In response to growing discussions on social media, Lubbock ISD Board of Trustees President Ryan Curry released a public statement to provide clarity on the status of Superintendent Dr. Kathy Rollo. The statement directly addresses a complaint filed with the TEA’s Educator Investigations Division and the subsequent flagging of Dr. Rollo's professional certificate.
Curry confirmed that the school board has been aware of the situation for several months. "The board was made aware during a board meeting in February that a complaint would be made," he stated. This indicates the district's leadership was prepared for the formal process to begin.
Timeline of Events and District Response
According to the statement, Dr. Rollo maintained open communication with the board from the outset. She informed the trustees immediately after receiving official notification of the complaint from the TEA in May.
"She has been completely transparent, honest, and forthcoming during the review process," Curry wrote, reinforcing the board's confidence in her leadership.
The statement was intended to reassure the LISD community about the district's handling of the matter and its continued trust in the superintendent. "She has the full support of the board, and we greatly appreciate the dedication she brings as our superintendent," Curry added.
Understanding the TEA's New Policy
A central point of Curry's message was to explain a recent change in how the Texas Education Agency handles complaints. This new procedure is critical to understanding the status of Dr. Rollo's certificate.
The Automatic "Flagging" System
The board president detailed the new TEA policy that automatically places a temporary marker, or "flag," on an educator's certificate as soon as a complaint is filed. This action is procedural and does not represent a judgment on the validity of the complaint itself.
"For those who are unaware, the TEA has a new policy by which they ‘flag’ a certificate any time a complaint is filed, regardless of the nature of the complaint," Curry explained. This marker remains in place until the agency completes its full investigation and makes a determination.
This policy means that any educator facing a complaint, substantiated or not, will have this temporary flag on their public record during the review period. The district emphasized this is a procedural step, not an indication of wrongdoing.
Investigation Backlog at State Agency
The resolution of this matter is being affected by external factors at the state level. Curry noted that the TEA is currently experiencing significant delays in processing investigations due to a sharp increase in the number of complaints being filed statewide.
Expected Timeline for Resolution
The high volume of cases has created a backlog, extending the time it takes for the agency to review and close investigations. "Because of the large increase in the number of complaints recently submitted to the TEA, the review process is taking much longer than usual," the statement read.
Despite these delays, the Lubbock ISD board is optimistic about a timely conclusion. Curry concluded his statement by expressing confidence that the review will be finalized soon. "However, we expect the review process for this complaint to be completed in the near future," he said.
The district has not released details about the nature of the complaint against Dr. Rollo, as TEA investigations are confidential until their conclusion. The board's statement aims to provide context and manage public perception while the state's official process unfolds.
