Dallas ISD removes principal who allegedly blamed black students for the school’s B rating

Dallas Independent School District (ISD) has appointed an interim principal at Woodrow Wilson High School after the current principal allegedly singled out black students and held them responsible for the school’s B rating.

The interim director was appointed after parents and students were concerned during an Oct. 24 meeting in which principal Chandra Hooper-Barnett reportedly met with only black students and allegedly blamed them for the school’s state responsibility, NBC DFW reports. On October 27, families received a letter announcing the appointment of the interim director.

“It happened very quickly, which is amazing,” said Jennifer Bush, whose son was one of more than 100 black students called into the room by Hooper-Barnett on Oct. 24.

“Principal Barnett had told them that this was the reason the school had a B rating, I think with the TEA,” Bush said. “And she said it in a derogatory way.”

Bush said her son told her the meeting had shifted to a discussion about forming a black social club, which confused her and other parents. She added that she was especially surprised by Hooper-Barnett’s actions since the director is also a Black woman.

“I was shocked because I know Director Barnett is a black woman, so I was really shocked that she would say something like that,” Bush said.

After the meeting the neighborhood named Danielle Petters – previously executive director of the Woodrow Wilson Vertical Team and principal of JL Long Middle School – as interim principal. In a letter to families, Executive Director Aaron Aguirre-Castillo said the district is “taking the necessary steps to carefully and thoroughly address this matter” and reassured parents that ensuring “a safe, respectful and supportive environment for all students remains unwavering.”

Hooper-Barnett also sent a letter to students and families, apologizing for the meeting and accepting full responsibility for her actions.

“The decision to hold that meeting and the subsequent discussion that took place were not appropriate,” she wrote. “I take full ownership and responsibility for what happened, and I want to assure you that it was never my intention to exclude or harm any group of students.”

The district has not indicated whether Hooper-Barnett will face disciplinary action or whether she may return to her position.

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