Community members, students show support for those no longer employed in local classrooms

(Seguin) — A large crowd of parents, students and supporters filled the Seguin ISD boardroom last week, urging trustees to reconsider the termination of AJB Briesemeister Middle School theater and dance teacher Denise Ebarra, whose students and families say she has built an award-winning fine arts program and made a lasting impact on campus.

The emotional turnout came just before the Seguin ISD Board of Trustees voted 5-1 to approve the termination of not only her contract but also a list of several other probationary employee contracts. Trustee William Dwyer cast the lone dissenting vote, while Trustee Linda Duncan was absent.

Before the vote, Dwyer attempted to make a motion to reject the list of proposed terminations, but the motion failed for lack of a second.

Seguin ISD Superintendent Dr. Jack Lee told the audience the recommendation was based on employee credentialing requirements, not performance in the classroom.

“Part of what you have in front of you is a list of educators across our district that may be phenomenal educators but have not met the credentials necessary to be able to hold the positions that they are in, whether that’s certification or other items,” said Lee.

In accordance with the Texas Education Code21.103(a) and Board Policy DFAB (LEGAL), a probationary contract employee may be terminated at the end of the contract period if the board determines that such termination will serve the best interest of the district.

Lee says the decision was difficult, but necessary to align with district expectations and legal requirements.

“It’s challenging because we have to make decisions that are sometimes difficult to make based off of what’s best for the district, what’s in line with the legal requirements that we must meet, as well as what our values and our expectations are for educators,” said Lee.

During his explanation, Lee also reassured families that student programs would remain intact despite staffing changes.

“I want to be very clear that regardless of the outcome of any type of vote, we are going to put students first,” said Lee. “Even if we have educators who cannot work with us because they have not met the necessary credentials to be able to hold those positions, does not mean that those programs disappear.”

Calling the recommendation one of the more difficult decisions district leaders must make, Lee says the burden of those decisions should not fall on students.

“It’s supposed to be hard for the adults. It’s not supposed to be hard for the kids,” said Lee. “It’s our job to do that work.”

Board President Denise Crettenden also made it a point to ask district administrators whether educators still had to complete certification requirements before the school year ends.

Answering on behalf of the district was Chief Human Resources Officer Jeremy Neuman.

“If you approve this list, they will go on a termination of their probationary contract,” said Neuman. “But I have informed the folks that can achieve their certification or their intern certification that if they are still requested by the principals of their campuses, that we can turn around and rehire them. And we’ve set it up so that they don’t skip a beat.”

Although she agreed that the decision was difficult, Trustee Lisa Burns defended the administration’s recommendation.

Burns says one of the board’s expectations in hiring Lee was to ensure district policies and procedures were being followed.

“I appreciate Dr. Lee following through on what is a hard thing, but what is a policy and procedure,” said Burns. “I think it’s important that we follow state rules and regulations.”

Nonetheless, Burns encouraged affected teachers to complete their certification requirements and return.

“We want you in this district,” said Burns. “I want you in this district. Get that correct certification so that we can follow those rules and regulations and provide the best for Seguin ISD students.”

Crettenden echoed that sentiment, saying she too hopes impacted teachers take the necessary steps to return to the classroom.

“I really do hope that they’ll take those steps and get on the road to that certification because I want to visit them in their classroom next year,” said Crettenden.

Meanwhile, for many in attendance, the issue was not whether certification matters — it was whether Ebarra was given enough time to complete the process.

Angelise Plata, Ebarra’s daughter, was among those who continued speaking out after Tuesday’s vote, submitting a letter the following day criticizing how the district handled both the decision and the public response.

In her letter, Plata said she left the meeting “shocked, deeply disappointed, and frustrated” by what she described as the dismissal of students and families who came forward to speak in support of Ebarra.

Plata says students and parents spoke “not in anger, but in desperation and love for a teacher who has made a meaningful impact on their lives.”

She says watching students and families plead for Ebarra’s return, only to feel ignored, was “heartbreaking.”

Plata also criticized what she described as a lack of communication from district leadership, saying repeated attempts by families and supporters to contact trustees and administrators had gone unanswered.

“We have been left in the dark, without communication or response from those who are supposed to hear us, represent us, and help us,” wrote Plata. “Silence in moments like this only adds to the hurt and frustration.”

Plata said supporters were not asking the district to ignore certification standards, but to allow more time for Ebarra to complete the process while continuing to serve students.

Plata also questioned the district’s use of a House Bill as justification for the move, arguing the legislation does not take effect until 2030 and is primarily focused on foundational academic courses, not fine arts.

In comments made after the meeting, Plata told the Seguin Daily News that her mother had accepted the Seguin ISD position after being recruited away from a theater job already lined up in San Antonio, and said the district was fully aware of her certification status at the time.

“They knew she was uncertified whenever they hired her,” said Plata. “They knew that they were signing the teaching permit until 2028. They knew everything that they were getting into. I don’t know why now it’s a problem.”

Plata also says the family has spent weeks attempting to communicate with district leadership with little response.

“We’ve sent emails. We’ve tried to contact the board. We’ve tried to contact the superintendent. We’ve tried to contact his secretary. We’ve gotten no responses from anybody,” said Plata.

Despite the district’s assurances that fine arts programs will continue, many parents and students left Tuesday’s meeting in tears, lingering outside the boardroom long well after the vote. Plata says her mother has already sped up her certification process but will still not be on track to complete it until 2027.