- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Judson ISD Board Feud Escalates Amid Superintendent Turmoil
Lawsuit, security intervention, and heated exchanges mark ongoing tensions in struggling Texas school district
Published on Feb. 24, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The Judson Independent School District board in San Antonio, Texas is embroiled in an escalating feud marked by a fired superintendent, a lawsuit, financial woes, and heated clashes that have led to security intervention. The board has faced contentious debates over school closures and budget cuts, as well as a controversial investigation that resulted in the termination process beginning for Superintendent Milton Fields. The board has seen rapid turnover in the superintendent position, with four people holding the title in less than two months. The tensions boiled over in a recent meeting where a board member was escorted out by security after a heated exchange with the board president.
Why it matters
The ongoing turmoil in the Judson ISD school board is indicative of the challenges facing many school districts, particularly those dealing with budget deficits and difficult decisions around school closures and staffing cuts. The feud also raises concerns about transparency and potential violations of open meetings laws, which could further erode public trust in the district's leadership.
The details
The Judson ISD board has been embroiled in a heated rivalry over the past year, with tensions coming to a head in recent months. The board has faced difficult decisions around school closures and budget cuts, including the closure of Judson Middle School and the elimination of pre-K programs and staff positions. An investigation led to the termination process beginning for Superintendent Milton Fields, which was framed as a "witch hunt" by opposing board members. The board has seen rapid turnover in the superintendent position, with four people holding the title in less than two months. The latest clash occurred at a special meeting this week, where a board member was escorted out by security after a heated exchange with the board president over the superintendent selection process and potential open meetings violations.
- In January, the board appointed Deputy Superintendent Lacey Gosch as interim superintendent.
- In February, the board tapped Deputy Superintendent Mary Duhart-Toppen as interim superintendent.
- Earlier this month, the board began the termination process for Superintendent Milton Fields following an investigation.
- This week, the board held a special meeting where a heated exchange led to a board member being escorted out by security.
- A judge is set to decide on a lawsuit against the board on February 27.
The players
Judson Independent School District
A school district in the San Antonio, Texas area that is facing financial woes, school closures, and turmoil within its school board.
Milton Fields
The former superintendent of Judson ISD who was placed on leave and had the termination process begun against him following an investigation.
Monica Ryan
The president of the Judson ISD school board who has been accused of making disparaging comments about the former superintendent and violating open meetings laws.
Suzanne Kenoyer
A Judson ISD school board member who was escorted out of a recent meeting by security after a heated exchange with the board president.
Lisa Butler
An individual who has filed a lawsuit against the Judson ISD school board and its president, accusing them of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act and making disparaging comments about the former superintendent.
What they’re saying
“This is absolutely disgraceful in every way imaginable. Now, we're going to vote, and we have no idea what this investigation is. I can tell you it is manipulation, Ms. Lee.”
— José A. Macias Jr., Judson ISD District 4 Trustee (mysanantonio.com)
“Dr. Fields is an African American individual who has been the subject [of] condescension and outright racist ridicule by Monica Ryan. Monica Ryan has made comments toward Dr. Fields such as, 'are you really even a doctor?' At another meeting she referred to Dr. Fields as an 'uneducated minority.'”
— Lisa Butler (mysanantonio.com)
What’s next
A judge is set to decide on the lawsuit against the Judson ISD school board and its president on February 27.
The takeaway
The ongoing turmoil within the Judson ISD school board highlights the challenges facing many school districts, particularly those dealing with budget deficits and difficult decisions around school closures and staffing. The feud also raises concerns about transparency and potential violations of open meetings laws, which could further erode public trust in the district's leadership.
