The Plano Independent School District (PISD) said it has launched an independent investigation into possible antisemitic behavior alleged by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, two Republican members of Congress and a former PISD trustee.

“Plano ISD is prepared to cooperate transparently and openly with any investigation, including our own independent audit into these claims,” the district said. “We are confident that these baseless allegations will not withstand scrutiny, and we expect elected officials to report their findings honestly when their review concludes.”

In a Thursday, Aug. 28, news release, Paxton said, “Reports have indicated that students in PISD have been subjected to biased materials that advance a pro-Palestinian worldview and that school officials have provided ‘excused’ absences to students participating in pro-Palestinian walkouts — effectively making it a school-sponsored anti-Israel activity.”

Similar allegations were raised in a letter signed by 3rd District Rep. Keith Self and 4th District Rep. Pat Fallon.

“It is a sad reality that the reports of antisemitism have become increasingly common within the district,” they said.

“Several instances have been reported of instructors presenting materials that can be considered non-neutral in nature and insisting that students take a pro-Palestinian viewpoint as the correct response,” the U.S. House members said. “When contacted about this material, the administration has repeatedly responded that the material was not approved. It is, however, the duty of the administration to verify that the approved curriculum is the one being taught.”

In an Aug. 28 social media post, former PISD board member Cody Weaver, a candidate in next year’s Republican primary for Precinct 4 on the Collin County Commissioners Court, said, “Since the October 7th [2023] attacks, antisemitism has sharply risen in Plano ISD. In response, Jewish families and our Christian allies have united to protect students and demand action. But Plano ISD has chosen to do the opposite — clinging to the status quo, blocking progress, and protecting its own image instead of protecting children.”

In its response, the district said, “Plano ISD unequivocally rejects antisemitism and all forms of hate and takes any allegation of discrimination with the utmost seriousness. We do not tolerate antisemitic behavior, and any such act is despicable and will be disciplined to the fullest extent allowed by state law.”

PISD went on to say, “Any suggestion that Plano ISD promotes or facilitates antisemitism is false and inconsistent with our values, policies and ongoing actions.”

The district called the allegations “political theater” and said it would continue partner with “our deeply respected community and national organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, and the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, to strengthen our efforts to prevent and respond to antisemitism.”

In a letter to PISD Superintendent Theresa Williams, the attorney general demanded the release within 10 days of documents including the school’s policies on walkouts, any documentation regarding anti-Israel curriculum and disciplinary actions against teachers and staff for antisemitic action.

Paxton also requested “All reports, complaints, and communication from the public or internally that PISD has received related to anti-Israel rhetoric and antisemitism, including, but not limited to curriculum, teaching materials, and teacher, staff and student behavior [and] all investigation reports, documentation, outcomes and responses in response to those reports.”

For more stories about the Murphy community see the next print or digital edition of the Murphy Monitor. Subscribe today and support local journalism.