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EXCLUSIVE: Frankston ISD superintendent announces resignation following current term, TEA investigating district

According to many in the audience at Monday night's school board meeting, there has been a massive divide in the community over how FISD Superintendent John Allen has run the district since he was hired.

FRANKSTON, Texas — The Frankston Independent School District Board of Trustees meeting played out before a standing-room only crowd on Monday. 

Many who gathered in the board room were there to see what would occur in regards to Superintendent John Allen's possible contract extension and review. 

Credit: Frankston ISD
Frankston ISD Superintendent John Allen

According to many in the audience, full of current and former FISD employees, parents and concerned citizens, there has been a massive divide in the community over how Allen has run the district since he was hired. 

Here is what three different community members had to say:

"Y'all have lost 60 kids in the last year because of the culture at this school now. You're losing two more this year."

"Why? Why is everybody leaving? Why are we getting all these rookie teachers that don't want to stay after the first year."

"How in the world can we spend $140,000 and just let the engineers go out there and make their own mind of what needs to be done?"

RELATED: Teachers and staff members at odds with Frankston ISD leadership

Speakers in open forum cited conflicts, teacher turnover rates, bullying and students leaving the district as evidence of what they say is poor leadership.

Three men spoke publicly to address issues they say are a direct result of Allen's actions.

The first man mentioned the bullying atmosphere that exists in the district. 

He addressed concerns over the Skeet Shooting Club from last year, saying he resigned as the coach for that club, mainly due to Allen.

He also said he and his wife would be pulling their two kids from the district at the end of the school year following in the footsteps of the parents of 60 other students he said were pulled out last year.

The second speaker also mentioned the bullying problem he said Allen fosters which contributed to the high turnover rates in the district. 

He advocated to not allow Allen to finish out his current term saying, "the negative effects are going to be long lasting well beyond his two years, well beyond the time that everybody is on the board."

This was met with applause from many in the audience.

The third man to speak addressed how the district spends money. He said some middle school teachers had to brings chairs for their classrooms, due to there not being enough seats for all of the students.

The district averages 14.8 students per teacher, according to Allen. 

During the "Superintendent Updates" section of the meeting, Allen announced the Texas Education Agency's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) had opened a Special Accreditation Investigation into the district. 

The mission of the SIU is to use a variety of investigative approaches to gather evidence related to alleged wrongdoing including but not limited to potential violations of state or federal law, rules and regulations, policies and procedures, and other abuses that may negatively impact a school district or charter school, according to the TEA.

Investigations will focus on obtaining sufficient factual evidence to determine whether certain enforcement actions should be taken against the district or charter school.

Allen said the investigation stems from "complaints regarding actions taken by the Board of Trustees." 

“Board President Jerry Jones and I are committed to fully cooperating with this state investigation to ensure that student achievement remains our focus and top priority,” Allen said.

Allen has also agreed to speak with CBS 19's Darcy Birden to address what the speakers brought up in open forum. 

Next, Allen announced he would not seek nor accept a contract extension and would resign at the end of his current term which expires in 2021. That statement drew a roaring applause from most meeting attendees.

If you have any issue or concern with Frankston ISD or any East Texas school district, please reach out to CBS19's Darcy Birden at (903) 262-7798 or DBirden@cbs19.tv.

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