Fort Worth ISD said Tuesday that Shayma Alzubi will be reassigned pending an investigation after The Dallas Express reported on social media posts tied to her Facebook account and requested comment from the district.
The district had previously announced Alzubi as the next principal of Western Hills High School.
“Today, May 26th, Fort Worth ISD was made aware of multiple social media posts from the past by a finalist for a principal position in the district,” FWISD Communications told The Dallas Express. “After review, it was determined that the posts may not align with the district’s social media policy and expectations for staff. Therefore, the candidate will be reassigned pending the outcome of an investigation. As such, the district will not comment further on an open investigation.”
In the earlier announcement, FWISD said, “Ms. Shayma Alzubi has been named the new principal for Western Hills High School.”
District Cites Policy, Classroom Neutrality
FWISD said the posts may not align with district policy and said it remains focused on politically neutral instruction.
“Fort Worth ISD is in full compliance with state law and per statute TEC 28.0022, FWISD administration ensures that all issues of public policy or social affairs be explored objectively and in a manner free from political bias,” the district said.
The district also said staff members should not bring personal political views into classrooms.
“Our district leaders, educators and staff will not inject personal political perspectives into classrooms,” FWISD said. “Fort Worth ISD serves a wide array of families and students that are civically engaged and maintain a variety of perspectives. As a taxpayer funded entity, we will remain focused on our mission of providing a high quality education for all students.”
Posts Sparked Backlash
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, screenshots circulated online showing posts tied to Alzubi’s Facebook account involving Sharia, Black Lives Matter, DACA, Palestine, and school mask mandates.
One January 23 repost from Texas Reporter defended Sharia and pushed back on “DON’T SHARIA MY TEXAS” posts.
The post described Sharia as “a moral and religious framework” in Islam and compared it to “biblical principles” for Christians and Halakha in Jewish communities.
Other screenshots from the account showed a black image reading “BLACK LIVES MATTER,” a post stating “I am #WithDreamers I SUPPORT DACA,” and an image referencing Palestine.
State Official Sought Investigation
State Board of Education member Julie Pickren called on the Texas Education Agency to investigate Alzubi and Steve Lecholop, TEA’s deputy commissioner of school governance, who oversees the Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers.
Pickren wrote on X that she was calling on TEA to investigate Alzubi for alleged violations of the Texas Code of Ethics for administrators. She also asked for an investigation into Lecholop’s oversight of the Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers.
Brandon Hall also criticized the appointment in a statement to The Dallas Express.
“School leaders should be held to a higher standard and should be focused on education, not left-wing and Islamist activism. She should not be a principal under any circumstances,” Hall said.
Alzubi had not responded to The Dallas Express’ request for comment by publication.
