Fort Worth principal reassigned after conservative backlash

Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) has reassigned Shayma Alzubi, the newly appointed principal of Western Hills High School, following conservative backlash over her social media activity. The controversy began when FWISD announced Alzubi’s hire, including a photo showing her wearing a hijab. The far-right account Libs of TikTok shared screenshots of her posts supporting Black Lives Matter, Palestinians, and immigrants, urging followers to contact the district’s superintendent. FWISD later removed the announcement post and confirmed Alzubi’s reassignment pending an internal review, stating her social media activity ‘may not align’ with district policy. Alzubi has worked in FWISD since 2013 but did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The district emphasized that staff should avoid injecting personal political perspectives into classrooms, citing a commitment to objective discussions on public policy. Texas State Board of Education members Brandon Hall and Julie Pickren, both conservatives, have called for an investigation by the Texas Education Agency. The dispute arises amid growing anti-Muslim sentiment in Texas, including lawsuits against a proposed Muslim-oriented housing development and the formation of the Sharia Free Texas Caucus, a Republican-led group targeting Islamic practices. FWISD’s statement underscored its stance against political bias in education, though critics argue the reassignment reflects broader tensions over diversity and religious expression in public schools.