A Texas school district has placed a newly appointed high school principal under investigation after social media posts defending Sharia law and supporting progressive political causes resurfaced online. Shayma Alzubi, who currently serves as assistant principal for ninth grade at Southwest High School in Fort Worth, was selected to lead Western Hills High School before the controversy erupted. The Fort Worth Independent School District announced the investigation on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, stating the candidate would be reassigned pending the outcome. District officials confirmed the posts may violate staff social media policy and expectations for educators in the district.
Social media posts spark immediate backlash from education officials
Screenshots from Alzubi’s past social media activity circulated online after she announced her new appointment in a Facebook post that has since been deleted. The posts included a January 23 statement appearing to defend Sharia law by comparing it to other religious ethical systems such as biblical principles. Additional images showed Alzubi with text reading “Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine” and “I am #WithDreamers I SUPPORT DACA,” referencing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. An August 2021 repost urged people to vote for mask mandates at a Fort Worth ISD school board meeting. Another photo featured Alzubi with a “BLACK LIVES MATTER” banner. The content prompted swift reaction from state education board members who called for immediate action.
State education board members demand ethics investigation
Julie Pickren, a member of the State Board of Education, publicly called for an investigation into Alzubi on social media platform X on Tuesday. Pickren specifically requested the Texas Education Agency examine potential violations of the Texas Code of Ethics for Administrators. She also called for an investigation into Department Commissioner of School Governance Steve Lechelop, who oversees the Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers. In a follow-up post, Pickren shared a statement from Fort Worth ISD indicating the district would reassign Alzubi during the investigation. Brandon Hall, another State Board of Education member representing the Fort Worth district, expressed concern about the extreme content allegedly posted. Hall confirmed he was monitoring the situation closely and would keep constituents updated on developments.
District emphasizes compliance with state law on political neutrality
Fort Worth ISD issued a formal statement addressing the controversy and outlining its position on staff conduct. The district stated it was made aware of multiple social media posts from the past by the principal finalist on Monday, May 26. After review, officials determined the content may not align with district social media policy and staff expectations. The statement emphasized Fort Worth ISD’s full compliance with state law, specifically citing Texas Education Code 28.0022. According to the statute, district administration must ensure all issues of public policy or social affairs are explored objectively and in a manner free from political bias. The district pledged that leaders, educators, and staff would not inject personal political perspectives into classrooms.
- Investigation launched after screenshots of past social media posts surfaced online.
- Posts defended Sharia law and included support for DACA, Black Lives Matter, and Palestine.
- State education board members called for ethics violations probe.
- Candidate reassigned from principal position pending investigation outcome.
- District reaffirmed commitment to political neutrality in schools.
The district statement continued by highlighting Fort Worth ISD serves a diverse array of families and students who are civically engaged and maintain various perspectives. As a taxpayer-funded entity, the district committed to remaining focused on its mission of providing high-quality education for all students. Officials declined to comment further on the open investigation, citing standard protocol for personnel matters under review.
Controversy emerges amid broader state debate on educational standards
The investigation comes as Texas lawmakers have intensified focus on educational content and staff conduct in public schools. Earlier this year, Texas Republicans launched a Sharia Free America Caucus aimed at defending what they described as Western civilization values. The state has also seen legal disputes over teacher social media activity, including a recent lawsuit filed by a Texas teachers’ union against the state over an investigation into controversial posts about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The Fort Worth case represents another flashpoint in ongoing debates about the intersection of educators’ personal political expression and professional responsibilities. Education policy observers note increased scrutiny of school administrators’ social media presence following several high-profile cases across the state. The outcome of the Alzubi investigation could set precedent for how districts handle similar situations involving staff members’ online activity and political viewpoints expressed outside the classroom setting.