Shayma Alzubi, the former principal of Western Hills High School in Fort Worth, has rejected a $130,000 district-level position offered by the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD). Alzubi is now seeking a federal judge’s order to reinstate her as principal before the start of the new school year on August 10.

Background

Alzubi was reassigned by FWISD on May 26 after social media posts and images tied to her account circulated online, sparking controversy. The posts involved topics such as Black Lives Matter, DACA, Palestine, Sharia, and the district’s COVID-19 mask policy. FWISD initially stated that the posts may not align with the district’s social media policy and expectations for staff.

Alzubi has sued FWISD in federal court, alleging that her reassignment was in retaliation for her protected speech under the First Amendment and that she was treated unequally based on her religion and national origin in violation of the 14th Amendment. Her motion for a preliminary injunction seeks immediate reinstatement as principal for the 2026-27 school year.

Current Developments

FWISD had announced that Alzubi was being promoted to a district-level administrative leadership position, with Lucio Rodriguez named as the interim principal for the upcoming school year. However, Alzubi claims she had already declined the proposed position before this announcement was made. The district described the role as a promotion that leveraged Alzubi’s strengths as an educator and administrator, focusing on academic acceleration, college and career readiness, and leadership development.

Alzubi’s legal team, which includes attorneys from the CAIR Legal Defense Fund and Fort Worth attorney Jason C.N. Smith, is representing her in the case. The Dallas Express reached out to FWISD for comment on Alzubi’s decision but did not receive a response before publication.

Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.