A Fort Worth Independent School District principal has been removed from her role at a high school pending an investigation into her past social media posts.
Shayma Alzubi was set to become the new principal of Western Hills High School in Fort Worth ISD. However, after a series of controversial social media posts surfaced, she was reassigned within the district pending the outcome of the investigation.
“Yesterday, 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. 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,” the district said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Alzubi’s past social media posts include a repost defending Sharia law, a highly controversial Islamic legal framework, that has caused significant debate and criticism over its treatment of women and legal rights.
One post shared on her Facebook page attempted to compare Sharia law with other religious frameworks, including biblical principles.
Other posts included advocacy for mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, support for the Black Lives Matter movement, and sharing that “Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine.”
Since the posts resurfaced, many in the community and Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) members have raised concerns around Alzubi’s appointment.
“I am very concerned to see the extreme content that was apparently posted on social media by Shayma Alzubi,” SBOE member Brandon Hall told 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.”
State Board of Education member Julie Pickren also commented on the situation, requesting the Texas Education Agency to investigate Alzubi for potential ethics violations.
“I am calling on @teainfo to do an investigation into Shayma Alzubi for violations of Texas Code of Ethics for Adminisrators [sic]. Furthermore, I am asking for an investigation into Dept. Commissioner of School Governance Steve Lechelop who oversees the Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers.”
Fort Worth ISD’s investigation into Alzubi’s conduct remains ongoing.
