SAN ANTONIO – Three members of the Edgewood Independent School District school board, including the board president, resigned on Friday, citing mounting frustrations with the district.
President Dr. Eddie Muzquiz Rodriguez, Vice President Velma Pena and Secretary Tina Morales detailed their decision in a four-page letter to the district.
"Without question, there is a clear division on the current school board which is causing the opposing members of the school board to vote against the common good, believing false and anonymous allegations without any substance or evidence," the letter said.
The resigning board members said their decision was motivated out of fear for their safety.
"It is because of the fear for our lives and those of our families that we are resigning from the Edgewood School Board effective immediately," the letter said.
Two of the resigning members said their homes have been vandalized and their cars have been shot at.
In the resignation letter, the members describe division among the school board not allowing them to put the students' best interests forward.
Click here to read the full letter.
According to the letter, a Texas Education Agency investigation in January revealed the following issues within the district:
- Board members acting in their individual capacities on behalf of the board
- Failure to fill the vacant superintendent position, which has been vacant since the start of the current school year
- Failure to fill two vacant high school principal positions open since the start of the school year
The board members said they "have attempted on numerous occasions to work collaboratively with the other school board members" since at least November 2014.
Edgewood ISD issued the following statement Friday:
"As of February 19th 2016 at 11:11 AM three members of the Edgewood ISD board, which include the Board President, Vice President, and the Board Secretary have resigned their positions. The execution of our daily function as a school district will not be affected and all operations and curriculum will continue. We are working with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to assure Edgewood ISD follows proper protocol and policy regarding this situation."
Going forward, TEA spokeswoman DeEtta Culbertson said that if the board fails to convene a majority of at least four members, "that can stymie any actions by the board of trustees and that can prompt the commissioner to take quick (or quicker) action on appointing a board of managers."
"March is usually a time when board members are beginning the budge process for the next school year as well as looking at teacher contracts for renewal and non renewals," Culbertson said.
KSAT 12 is expecting a statement from Edgewood ISD on the resignations. Check back with KSAT.com and watch KSAT 12 News throughout the day for the latest on this story.