Texas high school principal resigns after accusations claiming he indoctrinated students with critical race theory

A black Texas high school principal has resigned following reports that he was attempting to indoctrinate students through critical race theory lessons over a period of months, Insider reported.

Texas is one of eight states with laws banning the teaching of critical race theory.

What are the details?

According to reports, former principal James Whitfield of Heritage High School in Colleyville, Texas, sent a letter on race to his school in 2020.

The letter, according to reports, was sent amid nationwide protests spurred on by the Minnesota police killing of George Floyd and insisted that systemic racism is "alive and well."

A portion of the letter, according to the Texas Tribune, said, "Education is the key to stomping out ignorance, hate, and systemic racism. It's a necessary conduit to get 'liberty and justice for all.'"

Whitfield's letter was addressed at a school board meeting in July, where at least one person insisted that Whitfield was teaching and promoting "critical race theory."

Former school board member candidate Stetson Clark spoke up during the meeting and said, "He is encouraging the disruption and destruction of our district."

Clark also called for Whitfield's resignation or termination due to what he described as the teacher's "extreme views" and insisted that the former principal was trying to push for the "implementation of critical race theory" in district schools.

Clark's remarks, according to the Tribune, were met with cheers.

Colleyville Heritage High Principal James Whitfield Placed On Paid Administrative Leave Amid Controvwww.youtube.com

What happened then?

Whitfield was suspended pending an investigation into the incident in September. That month, the school district told NBC News that it "proposed the non-renewal of Whitfield's contract" during the meeting "due to deficiencies in his performance as principal that have been documented and discussed." The district added that critical race theory was not a factor in the proposal.

Whitfield resigned from his position at the school on Monday as part of a settlement with the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District board.

The district accepted Whitfield's resignation.

In a statement obtained by NBC News, Whitfield and the school district mutually agreed to resolve their dispute.

A portion of the statement read, "Both the District and Dr. Whitfield each strongly believe they are in the right. However, each also agrees that the division in the community about this matter has impacted the education of the District's students."

Whitfield told the outlet that the move was "beyond him."

"I'm hopeful that we can use this to move forward and to progress and get some true meaningful change and for people to be OK with teaching truth, people to be OK with embracing inclusivity and diversity, celebrating every student that walks through the doors of our schools," he said in a statement of his own.

Whitfield will remain on paid administrative leave until August 2023, according to reports.