Fort Worth, Texas – A federal judge on Thursday threw out a lawsuit filed by Shayma Alzubi, an educator with Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD), after the district reassigned her from her role as principal of Western Hills High School.

Judge finds no constitutional deprivation

U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman concluded that Alzubi’s promotion and accompanying salary increase undermined her argument that she was punished for constitutionally protected speech. The judge also determined that she did not demonstrate that FWISD treated her differently because of her Palestinian Muslim identity.

“The facts alleged by Ms. Alzubi, while perhaps indicative of personal trials she has faced in her career as an educator, do not rise to the level of a constitutional deprivation,” Pittman wrote. “Federal courts are not the appropriate forum for school administration.”

Reassignment deemed necessary for safety

FWISD officials said the reassignment was required for the safety of Alzubi and Western Hills staff after she received threatening messages online. The district estimated it would cost $197 to produce those messages, citing 13 hours of labor to review, redact and compile the records.

Alzubi also sued FWISD Superintendent Peter Licata and chief of staff Louis Kushner individually, but the judge ruled neither could be held personally liable because the district itself did not violate her rights.

Limited options for the educator

Pittman noted that Alzubi cannot refile the suit because she already “alleged her best case,” though she may appeal the decision.

The judge emphasized judicial restraint, warning that “the last thing our republic needs is an unelected lawyer in a black robe interfering without cause in basic personnel decisions by our local school districts.”

Background of the case

Alzubi claimed FWISD violated her First Amendment right to free speech and her Fourteenth Amendment right to equal protection after she posted on social media about Palestinians, Black Lives Matter, DACA recipients, Islam and the district’s COVID‑19 mask policy. The district’s attorneys argued the reassignment and later promotion did not harm her employment.

Neither Alzubi’s spokesperson nor FWISD’s office responded to requests for comment.

Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.