ECISD sends request to AG's office
Mar. 31—In response to an open records request from the Odessa American regarding Buice Elementary Principal Jim Workman, attorneys for Ector County ISD have written to the Attorney General to withhold certain information.
In a news release issued March 8, the district said Workman was reinstated upon completion of an investigation.
He was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation of an incident March 3.
The newspaper requested notes on the investigation, the identity of those who conducted the investigation, a narrative of the incident that prompted Workman to be placed on administrative leave and why he was reinstated.
Chief Communications Officer Mike Adkins said the district's Human Resources department, ECISD police and Child Protective Services were notified. All of them cleared Workman, Adkins said.
The firm of Atkins, Hollmann, Jones, Peacock, Lewis & Lyon, represents ECISD. Attorney Tatiana Dennis wrote to Paxton. The request was received by the District on March 13, which was the first day of Spring Break. The district was closed from March 13 to March 17, 2023, for Spring Break, therefore, the 10 business days did not begin to run until March 20, 2023, the letter said.
"The District is withholding certain reports, records, and working papers used or developed in an investigation of alleged child abuse or neglect under Family Code chapter 261 and pursuant to Section 552.101 of the Texas Government Code. See Fam. Code § 261.201(a). In addition, the same records may be protected under Section 552.108 of the Texas Government Code as a law enforcement record. We will be sending the documents, together with our additional remarks to you, within the time provided by law.
