Grapevine‑Colleyville Independent School District (GCISD) has made public a document naming 18 current and former employees that a former board member once called “poison teachers.” The list, which includes principals, librarians, teachers and learning liaisons, was released after a protracted legal fight that began in 2022.
Background of the controversy
In 2022, former board member Tammy Nakamura raised the issue at a town‑hall meeting, claiming she possessed a list of staff members she and other trustees were working to remove from the district. NBC 5 requested the list at the time, but the district sought a protective order from the office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, arguing that the names should remain confidential.
Attorney General Paxton’s office denied the request, stating that the information was subject to public disclosure. GCISD responded by filing a lawsuit against the attorney general, arguing that his ruling was erroneous. The case lingered in court for several years.
Board decision to release the list
When a new school board and superintendent took office, they chose to drop the lawsuit and comply with the attorney general’s decision. The board voted on Monday not to pursue further appeals, effectively ending the district’s effort to keep the list private.
GCISD issued a statement emphasizing that the list was compiled by an individual—not the district itself—and that the board’s responsibility was to be transparent with the public record. “GCISD recognizes that the record responsive to this public information request contains the names of current and former employees. The list was compiled by an individual, not the District,” the statement read.
Reactions from those named
Among those identified was former teacher Angie Connell, who expressed shock at being labeled “poisonous.” “I’m not a woke teacher and I couldn’t even imagine being poisonous. I was very much beloved and it was shocking that I got that call,” Connell said. She noted that she had consistently received glowing evaluations and had been highlighted by district communications in 2018 as one of the district’s best teachers, particularly for her work with gifted and talented students.
Other educators who appeared on the list declined to speak on camera but confirmed they were surprised by the disclosure. The document also contained handwritten notes labeling some individuals as “liabilities to the district,” further fueling concerns about the motives behind the original labeling.
Why the release matters
For parents and community members, the release provides clarity about a contentious episode that has lingered in district memory. Transparency aligns with the values of responsible stewardship and accountability that many families expect from their schools.
While the list itself does not indicate any wrongdoing by the employees named, the episode underscores the importance of due process and the need for school boards to focus on educational outcomes rather than partisan labeling.
Looking ahead
GCISD officials have not indicated any further action regarding the individuals on the list. The district’s new leadership appears committed to moving past the controversy and concentrating on instructional excellence for students across Grapevine and Colleyville.
Community members are encouraged to attend upcoming board meetings to stay informed about district policies and to voice any concerns directly to elected trustees.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
