Austin School Principal Accused Of Anti-Immigrant Bias (Updated)

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Community leaders staged a press conference on Monday protesting what they characterize as an "anti-immigrant bias" at Andrews Elementary School — including allegations the principal has harassed immigrant parents as to their citizenship status, referred to migrants as "illegals" and added the notation "Making Andrews Great Again" to a recent PTA newsletter.

Patch learned of the allegations ahead of the news conference on Sunday from a well-placed source involved in Monday's press conference. The source told Patch more details and evidence of the bias against migrant families will be unveiled at the press conference.

The principal is said to have replaced two immigrant parents from the PTA board recently, stating that "illegals" should not serve on the board, the source said. After ousting them from the board, she touted the move with the MAGA reference widely viewed as a coded deference to a white segment of the population over other racial or ethnic groups.

Ironically, the principal in question is Latina. Gabriela "Gabbi" Soto hails from the border city of El Paso, Texas, a town that has been used as backdrop by politicians on both sides of the ideological divide as debate on immigration intensifies.

The press conference on Monday was staged by a group calling itself the East Austin School Manifesto Coalition and other community leaders, according to a press advisory alerting to the event. The gathering took place in front of the school located at 6801 Northeast Dr. at 2 p.m.

Among those speaking at the conference were former Austin ISD school board members Ted Gordon and Paul Saldaña; representatives from Hispanic advocacy groups RAICES, LULAC, Hispanic Quality of Life Commission, HABLA, La Raza Round, Windsor Park Neighborhood Association, Austin Area Association for Bilingual Education, Tejano Veterans in Action and Austin Area Bilingual Educators.

Attorney James Harrington was the first to speak in providing a synopsis of the accusations while introducing speakers. He noted the controversy has been developing over the course of more than a year since Soto was hired in January 2018.

"It's a problem that's been festering here for a long time, and it's come to a head," Gordon told reporters gathered. He introduced the first speaker, Daysi Gordon (wife of the former Austin ISD board member Ted Gordon), a former teacher at Andrews Elementary. She delivered her remarks in Spanish.

"When we celebrated the retirement of a teacher of more than 30 years, the principal told her she could return to clean the cafeteria," the former schoolteacher said in ticking off a list of grievances against Soto. "This teacher also retired for the same reasons. The principal of Andrews discriminates against the most vulnerable, parents and students. Apparently following the mandate of MAGA — Make Andrews Great Again — she has diminished participation of undocumented students in the PTA and school in general."

Harrington accused Soto of having installed hand-picked members of the PTA after ousting immigrant parents. He distributed a photo of the PTA newsletter where she boasted of her action while "Making Andrews Great Again," accompanied by the now-familiar image of a red ball cap worn by those adhering to the "Make America Great Again" political mantra from the right.

One parent carried a sign that read: "Get rid of Soto the bully!" in calling for the principal's termination. Watch a video of the press conference below:

Harrington said a multiple grievances have been leveled against Soto to no avail while undocumented parents are marginalized and teachers depart in succumbing to the stress level inherent to the situation.

"The reputation of good people [has] been tarnished," Harrington said. "Enough is enough. The Andrews family won't stand for this any longer. We stand by our families and staff members that have spoken out. We have seen too many families and staff members leave our campuses, and are now asking for AISD to take action to benefit our community.

"We are asking for our attacker not return," Harrington added. "We are also asking that all victims be allowed to continue the good work they have been trying to do in good standing."

Then he outlined a list of demands to Austin ISD:

• An "...open, public, transparent and thorough" investigation by Austin ISD via a special committee of the board of trustees.
• Immediate removal of Soto as principal of Andrews Elementary.
• A public apology from Austin ISD to parents.
• Immediate and enhanced campus parental support to all families, in particular those comprising immigrants.

The fight isn't just for Andrews Elementary, Harrington added: "This is for all East Austin teachers, and the entire East Austin community who has had to endure this kind of treatment and be ignored."

Former Austin ISD trustee Saldaña later conveyed on Facebook how gratified he felt to have been among those calling attention to the situation at Andrews Elementary while condemning the alleged actions of its principal: "During a polarizing period in our history where our Latino community remains the target of hate and intolerance, it is absolutely disheartening to learn that the practitioner and bigot is Latina herself!"

He quoted Alveda Celeste King, an American activist, author, and former state representative for the 28th District in the Georgia House of Representatives who is also a niece of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.: “Racism oppresses its victims, but also binds the oppressors, who sear their consciences with more and more lies until they become prisoners of those lies. They cannot face the truth of human equality because it reveals the horror of the injustices they commit.”

At a time of heightened aversion to immigration — a sentiment fomented by Donald Trump, members of his administration and ardent conservative followers as political fodder — Austin ISD officials have sought to promote a sense of inclusion rather than divisiveness. The Austin ISD board in 2017 passed a resolution reaffirming support for immigrant families and students amid a growing anti-immigrant sentiment sweeping the country. It reads:

"WHEREAS, we want our community to feel that schools and classrooms are safe, welcoming and inclusive places for all students and all families, regardless of their immigration status;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Austin Independent School District will strive to create the safest possible environments for its students and employees, providing them the foundation needed to learn, thriv, seek assistance and information, and reach each child’s potential in an education-focused environment, free of insecurity and fear, for all its employees, students and their families, regardless of immigration status."

Patch was unable to reach the school for comment ahead of the press conference given that the announcement alerting to the press conference surfaced on Sunday when classes were not in session. Following a request for comment on Monday, the Austin ISD emailed Patch a statement from Superintendent Dr. Paul Cruz. The prepared statement, titled "At Austin Independent School District, All Are Welcome," reads:

"The District believes that a valuable element of education is development of respect for all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, immigration status. Any messages that do not align or are contrary to our core values are not supported by the Board of Trustees, the Superintendent, and our community.

"We strive to create the safest possible environments for our students and employees, providing them the foundation needed to learn, thrive, seek assistance and information, and reach each child’s potential in an education-focused environment, free of insecurity and fear, for all its employees, students and their families, regardless of immigration status.

"We take allegations that do not align with our core values seriously. We welcome feedback and concerns from students, staff and the greater community as we work together to prepare our students for college, career, and life. When students, staff, and families feel unsafe, we will work collaboratively to restore trust in the community."

En español

El distrito escolar independiente de Austin (Austin Independent School District) publicó su declaración sobre supuesta discriminación contra inmigrantes:

Declaración del Austin ISD: Todos son bienvenidos

"En el Distrito Escolar Independiente de Austin todos son bienvenidos. El distrito cree que un elemento valioso de la educación es el desarrollo del respeto por todos los individuos, independientemente de su raza, color, religión, sexo, género, identidad de género, expresión de género, orientación sexual, origen nacional, discapacidad, edad o estado migratorio. La Mesa Directiva, el superintendente y nuestra comunidad no apoyan ningún mensaje que no esté en línea o sea contrario a nuestros valores básicos.

"Procuramos crear los ambientes más seguros posibles para nuestros estudiantes y empleados, al proporcionarles la base necesaria para aprender, prosperar, pedir ayuda e información y alcanzar el potencial máximo de cada estudiante en un ambiente enfocado en la educación, libre de inseguridad y temor para todos nuestros empleados, estudiantes y familias, sin importar su estado migratorio.

'Tomamos en serio alegatos de acciones que no estén en línea con nuestros valores básicos. Agradecemos comentarios e inquietudes de estudiantes, personal y la comunidad en general a medida que trabajamos juntos para preparar a nuestros estudiantes para la universidad, la carrera profesional y la vida. Cuando los estudiantes, personal y familias se sientan inseguros, trabajaremos de forma colaborativa para restaurar la confianza de la comunidad."

Soto was unavailable for comment as she reportedly is on extended medical leave said to be unrelated to her alleged actions.

As word got out about the accusations against the principal, several Latino organizations voiced support of community leaders shedding light on the matter while demanding accountability for the educator.

"We join the Austin community in demanding that Andrews Elementary School principal is held accountable for [her] racist behavior toward students," the group RAICES posted in a two-part message on Twitter. "Andrews' principle [sic] has harassed immigrant parents as to their citizenship status, referred to migrants as "illegals" and added the notation "Making Andrews Great Again" to a recent PTA newsletter, among other unacceptable actions vs students of color. We will no longer tolerate bigotry in our communities. Call The AISD Superintendent and Trustees at (512) 414-2413 & demand an investigation ASAP."

United We Dream officials weighed in on Twitter: "Parents should be allowed to take part in their children's education, regardless of status. Andrews Elementary and @AustinISD should be ashamed of Principal Soto's behavior."

Dreamer Julieta Garibay added: "#uttershame on Principal Soto at Andrew Elementary. Parents regardless of immigration status should not be kept from being involved in their child's education."