LIVE OAK, Texas – State leaders are investigating whether Judson Independent School District leaders violated Texas law, amid several allegations against Board President Monica Ryan and former Superintendent Milton “Rob” Fields III.
Among the nine allegations outlined by the Texas Education Agency, Fields is accused of failing to report the abuse of a student by a certified educator, according to a document obtained by KSAT. Ryan is accused of threatening the superintendent and other trustees.
“I can confirm an investigation regarding Judson ISD. Because the matter remains active and ongoing, TEA cannot comment further,” a TEA spokesperson wrote in an email to KSAT.
A spokesperson for Judson ISD emailed KSAT saying the investigation conducted by TEA is “ongoing.”
“Therefore, it would not be appropriate for the District to comments on the allegations,” the spokesperson said. “Further, TEA specifically classifies these materials as confidential audit working papers and has advised that they are not subject to public release.”
TEA is investigating whether Ryan engaged in conduct that prevented trustees from exercising independent judgment, as well as took action that undermined Fields’ authority and interfered with administrative functions.
The state also alleges Fields failed to notify the school board of an active TEA investigation and a pending court case involving a principal’s failure to report child abuse.
Fields was terminated in April, which Ryan attributed to a failure to manage the district’s finances appropriately, allowing district academic ratings to decline, failing to report child abuse and more. Fields said those reasons were “fabricated” in a letter obtained by KSAT shortly after his termination.
TEA also said staff failed to report the abuse of a middle school student by a teacher to the Department of Family and Protective Services or local law enforcement.
School board trustees are also accused of engaging in off-site, non-public deliberations regarding decisions related to superintendent employment and interim leadership.
Judson ISD’s school board is scheduled to meet in a special board meeting Tuesday.
‘It is heartbreaking’
In a statement to KSAT on Tuesday, Ryan accused three Judson ISD board members of taking action against the district.
“It is heartbreaking for our community to watch three board members take actions against their own district and appear more willing to see Judson ISD subjected to a TEA takeover than accept responsibility for the consequences of their actions—or inaction—from 2022 through 2025," Ryan said.
Ryan also said that board members continue to be involved “in personal and political attacks” that have already been investigated or ruled upon — a cycle that she says costs taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees.
“Unfortunately, some board members continue to engage in personal and political attacks, repeating unsubstantiated allegations that have already been independently investigated and resolved or already ruled on by the court,” Ryan said.
Ryan’s full statement can be read below:
It is heartbreaking for our community to watch three board members take actions against their own district and appear more willing to see Judson ISD subjected to a TEA takeover than accept responsibility for the consequences of their actions—or inaction—from 2022 through 2025. Those decisions contributed to a completely foreseeable financial crisis and a dramatic decline in academic performance, taking Judson ISD from a B-rated, improving district to a D-rated, deteriorating district.
What we have seen happen in Houston ISD, Fort Worth ISD, Beaumont ISD, and other districts across Texas is not something anyone should wish upon the students, families, and staff of Judson ISD.
The noise created by a few board members is intended to distract from the remarkable progress our Board and district administration have made over the last five months. We have right-sized the district and will be among the small number of districts across Texas passing a balanced budget for next year. We have realigned staffing and expenditures to better support students and campuses. We have nearly doubled the size of the incoming class at our nationally recognized Judson STEM Academy Middle School. Those successes—and many others—reflect a district that is moving forward with purpose and momentum, and some do not want that story to be told.
Unfortunately, some board members continue to engage in personal and political attacks, repeating unsubstantiated allegations that have already been independently investigated and resolved or already ruled on by the court. This constant cycle of accusations has cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees to repeatedly investigate claims from which I have already been cleared multiple times.
Every dollar spent relitigating the same unfounded allegations is a dollar that cannot be spent in our classrooms, on our campuses, or directly supporting students
Board President Monica Ryan
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