Friday, May 3, 2024
Granbury Middle School Principal Andy Smith sent an email to GMS families Jan. 31 announcing his resignation.
Smith will finish out the school year before leaving the district. According to the email, Smith is leaving to pursue other career opportunities. He is currently serving his third school year with GMS.
“I have greatly enjoyed my time at GMS and working with our tremendous staff, students and parents,” part of Smith’s email to GMS parents read. “Thank you for the support you have given me over the last three years. The support for myself, the staff, and students of GMS has been unparalleled.”
Smith submitted his letter of resignation Dec. 7, 2023, according to Ryan Cox, Granbury ISD director of communications.
After numerous bullying incidents have been reported at the campus, some community members, including some parents and staff of the district, feel the district and frustrated parents pressured Smith to resign. These community members have spent numerous days protesting outside the GMS campus as well as the administration building with signs in support of Smith.
“We feel like knowing Dr. Smith and knowing what goes on at the school since we’re moms and teachers, we know what happens in those doors every day and it makes no sense that he would offer (his) resignation,” a community member who wished to remain anonymous said. “Dr. Smith talks about bettering the school and future improvements. You’re not going to plan for the future of a place that you are resigning from. We feel like there’s more to it than this and nobody wants him to go. We want to know why and how we can stop this. GMS needs him.”
Another community member who also wished to remain anonymous said there is bullying happening in the school and they do not want to discount those incidents.
“Because of Dr. Smith, we love GMS. Everyone loves him, and there are things that happen unfortunately in schools and it’s not just GMS. There are kids getting bullied across the country, and so we don’t think it’s fair for Dr. Smith to take a fall.”
The protestors are hoping they will be seen by the GISD administration and want to show their love and support for Smith. The supporters also created a Facebook page under the name “Keep Dr. Smith at GMS” that has over 230 members.
Smith’s resignation letter was accepted during the previous GISD school board meeting Jan. 29. According to Cox, after the district hires a new principal, the school will release a statement regarding Smith’s tenure and will thank him for his service.
The HCN asked Cox if Smith was available for an interview Jan. 29 and Feb. 5, but Cox shared that Smith was “not available for interviews at this time and is focusing on finishing out the school year.”
