By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews
PLANO, Texas — Plano ISD trustees voted 7-0 Aug. 13 to move toward terminating Brinker Elementary Principal Jennifer King for “good cause,” weeks after she was named in a lawsuit involving former teacher Paul Campbell.
The lawsuit alleges King failed to act on earlier reports about Campbell before his arrest on child sexual abuse charges.
The district did not publicly explain the “good cause” or say whether its decision was related to those allegations.
Board Authorizes Termination Process
Trustees entered closed session shortly after the meeting began and returned to open session at 7:19 p.m.
Dr. Dana Kendall, assistant superintendent for employee services, presented the administration’s request.
“The administration seeks authorization and approval to send notice of proposed termination to the term contract for Miss King for good cause under Chapter 21 and board policies and, in the alternative, seek non-renewal for good cause at the end of the contract term,” Kendall said.
The request gave the district two paths regarding King’s contract: seek termination before the contract expires or, alternatively, seek to prevent its renewal at the end of the term.
Board Vice President Nancy Humphrey made the motion authorizing the district to issue the notice “for good cause in accordance with applicable laws and policies.” Trustee Tara Lance seconded it.
Trustees did not discuss the allegations against King or explain publicly what conduct the district believes constitutes good cause.
“That’s seven hands up. That motion passes unanimously,” Board President Lauren Tyra said.
The vote authorizes the district to send King notice of proposed termination rather than immediately ending her contract. The public portion of the meeting did not disclose whether the action was connected to Campbell, the allegations in the lawsuit or another personnel matter.
Attorney Says Vote Supports Lawsuit Claims
Zeke Fortenberry, the attorney representing the family that sued Plano ISD, Campbell and King, provided TX3DNews with a statement following the board’s action.
“Principal King ignored red flags regarding Campbell’s inappropriate behavior with girls prior to our client being sexually assaulted by Campbell,” Fortenberry said. “We demand better of PISD administrators.”
Fortenberry said the district’s action corroborates the claims made in the lawsuit.
“PISD firing Principal King corroborates our claims that Principal King failed to act appropriately and failed to protect the young girls at her school,” Fortenberry said.
Plano ISD did not publicly state during the Aug. 13 meeting that the allegations in the lawsuit were the reason administrators sought King’s termination.
Lawsuit Alleged Earlier Reports
As TX3DNews reported July 31, the lawsuit was filed July 30 in Collin County District Court by the parents of an 8-year-old student identified as “Janie Doe.”
The petition alleges Campbell sexually abused the child during the 2025-26 school year and claims King received at least one earlier report from another Brinker Elementary parent concerning inappropriate touching by Campbell involving a female student.
The lawsuit claims King did not notify law enforcement, increase supervision of Campbell or report the allegation to the State Board for Educator Certification.
It also alleges another parent later asked to have her daughter transferred out of Campbell’s classroom. According to the petition, the request was denied and King allegedly did not investigate Campbell’s conduct or increase supervision.
Those allegations have not been proven in court.
Campbell Faces Four Felony Charges
Campbell, 64, was arrested July 8 after Plano police investigated a report involving a Brinker Elementary student.
He faces one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and three counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact involving multiple students.
Campbell has not been convicted and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Plano ISD previously said it was cooperating with police, reported the matter to state education authorities and described the alleged conduct as “reprehensible.”
The civil lawsuit seeks more than $1 million in monetary relief and remains pending.
King has not been charged with a crime, and the Aug. 13 board vote does not establish the allegations against her in the civil lawsuit as fact.
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