The details
The two principals in question are Christina Benhoff, principal of Carroll High School, and Ryan Wilson, principal of Carroll Senior High School. Concern in the community grew after word spread their contracts were not renewed.
Superintendent Jeremy Glenn said both individuals remain principals of their schools and both have contracts in effect through the end of the 2025-26 school year.
“Procedurally, the district will consider the renewal of their contracts along with those of other staff at a future meeting,” Glenn said.
Board President Cameron Bryan said that while personnel decisions made by the board are done so for the benefit of students and staff, they are oftentimes matters that cannot be discussed in the open.
“We are bound legally and ethically not to disclose or discuss specific personnel issues,” Bryan said. “That’s not a lack of transparency, it’s a matter of respecting the rights and privacy of individuals involved as required by law.”
A closer look
Fifty four members of the community signed up to speak about the staffing issues. While many spoke out in support of Benhoff and Wilson, several also voiced their concern over cuts to the coaching staff and in the fine arts department.
“Without middle school choir, I would have never found my way into the high school choir community and I wouldn’t have this amazing group of people by my side,” said Katie Scruggs, a Carroll ISD senior who spoke about the elimination of the middle school choir.
Zooming out
Districts across the state have dealt with cuts to programs and staffing due to the lack of increased funding from the state, which has stayed the same since 2019 despite record inflation since that time.
CISD board members unanimously approved the formation of the district’s budget reduction advisory committee in July 2024 to study funding shortfalls in the 2024-25 fiscal year and propose recommendations to better allocate resources to achieve district goals. It is composed of approximately 20 members of the community along with board members, principals and other district staff members.
According to previous Community Impact reporting, Glenn provided an update during the board’s regular meeting April 28 on the activities of the BRAC as it concludes its examination of the 2024-25 school year.
