The Texas Education Agency opened a review into Prosper ISD Superintendent Holly Ferguson earlier this year.
The notice from TEA’s Educator Investigations Division was placed on Ferguson’s educator certification on April 10, a TEA official said in an email.
The notification on an educator's certificate means an allegation of misconduct is being investigated by TEA staff, according to the TEA’s website. A certificate with this notation remains valid because no formal determination has been made, per the website.
What we know
It is unknown why Ferguson is being reviewed by TEA. Details regarding an ongoing investigation cannot be shared, TEA officials said.
“Dr. Holly Ferguson has spent 26 years in service to the public school children of the state of Texas, 21 of those here in Prosper as a teacher, principal, central office administrator and superintendent," Board President Bill Beavers said in a May 9 emailed statement from the district. "The entire board of trustees has the utmost confidence that she executes her duties as superintendent with integrity, honor and steadfast devotion to the students of Prosper ISD, and she has the support of the entire board."
The TEA has not provided the district with any information about the nature of this investigation nor who has made the allegation against Ferguson, according to the statement.
"As we await a response from TEA, the board remains fully confident that Dr. Ferguson has always met the highest standards of professionalism and ethical behavior," Beavers said in the statement. "The board of trustees, Dr. Ferguson and our outstanding educators continue our daily commitment to providing an excellent education for our students.”
TEA’s investigation unit gathers evidence related to alleged wrongdoing, including potential violations of state or federal law, rules and regulations, policies and procedures, and other abuses that may negatively impact a school district or charter school. Investigations focus on obtaining sufficient evidence to determine whether certain enforcement actions should be taken against the district or charter school, according to the TEA’s website.
The Prosper ISD school board does not have oversight on the investigation as it is being conducted by the TEA, which is a state agency.
The background
Ferguson was hired as an elementary school teacher in PISD in 1998. She later left the district before returning when she was hired as PISD superintendent in 2020.
