Board finds two term‑contract teachers abandoned their contracts under TEC provisions

The Cedar Hill ISD Board of Trustees voted to approve administration recommendations concluding that two term‑contract teachers abandoned their employment contracts. The board approved a finding under Texas Education Code section 21.105 and 19 TAC 249.14 that "good cause did not exist" for the contract abandonment by term contract teachers Ravonica Nickelberry and George Lancelot.

Administrators told the board that Nickelberry, a special education teacher at Bessie Coleman, submitted a letter on Aug. 5 stating she would not return. HR and district leaders met with Nickelberry and offered alternatives that she declined; the administration said no replacement had been secured for the role as of the meeting. For Lancelot, the administration said the teacher emailed on July 30 resigning the position and refused subsequent outreach from HR and campus administration.

Trustee Ramona Ross Bacon moved the Nickelberry finding; Trustee Carmel Morgan seconded. The motion passed on a roll call of 7–0. A similar motion for Lancelot (moved by Trustee Haygood and seconded by Denisha Williams) also passed unanimously.

Actions recorded in the meeting minutes state the motions were made under TEC 21.105(c) and 19 TAC 249.14, and trustees voted to accept the administration's recommendations. Staff noted that these findings are distinct from termination for cause or other personnel actions and reflect the district's formal determination of abandonment under state rules.