Three Haggard Middle School counselors resign

Haggard Middle School parents are demanding answers as to why three Plano ISD counselors resigned on Monday.

A letter from Principal Julie-Anne Dean was sent to parents explaining that Penny Hale, Robin Taylor and Mary White -- who respectively worked with sixth-, seventh- and eight-graders -- resigned.

Plano ISD did not offer any reason for the resignations, citing confidentiality of personnel matters. A statement from the district reads "safety and security of staff and students do not pertain to this circumstance" and "there has been no compromise to the campus testing program."

On the Haggard Middle School PTA Facebook page, parents have demanded an explanation for the sudden resignation of the three counselors. The administrator of the page has posted periodical updates regarding efforts to find more information, but has noted the district has not provided any explanation for the resignations.

Amanda Thomas, a Haggard parent, expressed skepticism that a resignation letter would not constitute public information and has said the district has only gotten quieter as parents have pushed for answers.

"I'll do whatever it takes to get clarity on this issue," she said. "I'm furious that they're withholding information the way that they are. ... Personnel matters are matters of public interest in a public school system."

Thomas said the counselors had "impeccable reputations" and were loved, adored and trusted by parents.

"There's no blemishes. There's no troubled history, no troubled past; no disruptive behavior. ... What is so bad that the school can't tell us the reason they resigned?" she said.

The resigning counselors will be replaced by Judy McKown, Brad Alcorn and Pat Clipp, Dean's letter reads.

McKown recently retired from Robinson Middle School, where she served as lead counselor. Alcorn is transferring from Renner Middle School, where he works as seventh-grade counselor. Clipp, another retiree, is a former Plano Senior High School counselor.

While the district did not say when the new counselors started, Dean's letter indicated they have already started work, helping eighth-graders complete eighth-to-ninth-grade online registration.

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