Ousted: East Austin School Principal Accused Of Migrant Bias

EAST AUSTIN, TEXAS — The East Austin school principal who was accused of having an anti-immigrant bias that prompted community protest has been fired, community activists said Thursday.

Gabrielle Soto, formerly principal of Andrews Elementary, 6801 Northeast Dr., had been the subject of numerous complaints for what was perceived as a discriminatory stance against parents and students perceived to be undocumented immigrants. At a Monday press conference, community advocates gathered to detail some of the allegations — including her ousting of immigrant parents from a PTA board she later touted as part of her her efforts at "Making Andrews Great Again," a reference to the coded MAGA mantra of the Trump administration that some perceive as being deferential to the interests of white constituents.

"The East Austin Schools Manifesto Coalition has received unofficial word that the principal, Gabriela Soto, has been fired, and will not return to Andrews and/or any other AISD school," community activists wrote in a statement sent to Patch.

But Austin ISD spokeswoman Patricia Fraga took issue with the group's semantics albeit assuring Soto would not be returning to the school. She emailed Patch the latest statement from the district: "Gabrielle Soto is on district approved leave until the end of April. At this time the district is unable to comment further on her employment status. Soto will not be returning to the Andrews Elementary School campus."

On Thursday, Austin ISD sent a letter to parents reiterating the district's decision not to have Soto return to the campus. In the letter, district officials repeated a pledge to promote inclusion, regardless of students' or parents' immigration status. The letter added that Diana Vallejo would act as substitute principal for the time being.

"We will work with Ms. Vallejo to continue to create the safest possible environment for Andrews students, families, and employees, providing them with 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, regardless of immigration status," the letter reads. "We are committed to working collaboratively to restore trust."

The district added that more information "will soon follow" related to further steps officials will take.

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At their press conference earlier this week, community activists told of alleged abuse by Soto, including harassing students and parents in discerning their residency or citizenship status to removing migrant parents in positions of representation on key boards. Her appropriation of the MAGA acronym with an Andrews Elementary twist also was viewed by many of coded bigotry. One teacher who spent 24 years at the school told those gathered she was forced to quit after repeated abuse by Soto since she was tapped as principal of the school in January.

In its statement, the East Austin Schools Manifesto Coalition reminded of a landmark 1982 Supreme Court ruling (Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202) asserting that "...all children are entitled to a public education, regardless of their immigration status or the status of their parents" as having represented the crux of their outcry.

"AISD must uphold case law, and protect ALL students and families from anti-immigration rhetoric, bullying and discrimination," activists wrote in their statement. Group members went on to thank those who pushed for the principal's termination: "Thank you to all of the community leaders, organizers and individuals that immediately condemned the issues at Andrews Elementary, sent emails and/or called AISD to defend and support our immigrant families. Because of your calls for action, we are making progress!"

Activists ended their missive with the hashtag #DemandRespect.

But the fight is far from over, community activists suggested: "However, let's not forget that five to six months ago at Fulmore Middle School, a teacher publicly admonished students for speaking Spanish, and told them to go back to Mexico."

The reference to Fulmore Middle School actually dates to November 2017 when students complained they were admonished for speaking Spanish during a social and emotional learning class. Some 60 students walked out of their classes in protest weeks later, taking the step after perceived inaction by administrators in condemning the teacher's actions.

A member of the East Austin Schools Manifesto Coalition told Patch the reference to the incident as having happened months ago referred to the chronology of corrective action. "Yes, we incorrectly said six months ago," the activist wrote. "However, it took months for the district to address and remove the teacher," and action wasn't taken until 2018, the source told Patch.

The activist added such delayed response by school district officials to complaints of bias is not atypical: "We’ve heard from various community members and parents stating similar issues, and concerns were raised at other campuses, and the district has yet to address or resolve," the community advocate told Patch.

Fulmore Middle School Lisa Bush subsequently issued a prepared statement acknowledging the teacher's comment while assuring corrective measures had been taken in response. "Comments such as that are not tolerated at any level and appropriate actions were taken," Bush assured. Cruz later said the teacher in question subsequently was placed on administrative leave.

Anti-immigration sentiment fomented under the Trump administration has led to emboldened attacks on the migrant class across the country. The rising trend of intolerance prompted the Austin ISD board to pass a resolution in 2017 promoting inclusiveness while reaffirming support for immigrant families and students. The ordinance read:

"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."

Austin ISD officials publicly apologized to community members in the wake of the Andrews Elementary controversy. In response to an email from Patch, the district emailed a prepared statement from Austin ISD Superintendent Dr. Paul Cruz headlined: "At Austin Independent School District, All Are Welcome."

The statement read in part: "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."

The controversy at Andrews Elementary has garnered national headlines, proving an embarrassment for the district. The national platform dubbed "Latino Rebels" was quick to pick up on news of Soto's ouster, having previously covered the story.