Early College High School principal Veronica Coss, who has been on leave since the fall, has resigned from her position, according to a letter the school district sent to parents Friday.
Coss has been under investigation since September, when Stephanie Martin, a former Early College teacher, publicly accused her of using racist slurs and denying access to accommodations to special education students.
Evelyn Nevarez, Coss’ former secretary, filed a report stating similar allegations in April. Both women said they left their jobs over Coss’ behavior.
The letter to parents, sent by Stony Point area superintendent Natalie Nichols, said Coss “(cites) concern for the campus and a desire to help the school return to normalcy.”
In the letter to parents, the district said it found “no evidence to substantiate the allegations of racial discrimination.”
The letter does not mention if the investigation looked into claims that Coss denied special education students accommodations.
“I’m saddened for the students and parents who came forward because it is a slap in the face to them,” Nevarez said. “Basically saying they are lying about what happened to them. I’m glad she is gone and will not be able to do the same to any other RRISD students.”
Since the beginning of the investigation, several parents and students have spoken out at board meetings on Coss’ behavior, making similar claims to those made by Nevarez and Martin.
Nichols’ letter said, “The investigation has spanned many months as we worked to contact any employee, former employee, student, or parent who wished to provide information.”
It stated the investigation is still open and that people can contact Round Rock district legal services at 512-464-5036 or legal_services@roundrockisd.org.
It also stated the investigation took additional time because the Board of Trustees asked for an outside entity to review the district’s investigative process.
“The district wanted to be certain this investigation included newly identified best practices, if any, that may result from the review,” Nichols’ wrote.
Coss, who’s annual salary was $94,213.52, was put on leave Sept. 30. Her one-year contract with the district was set to end June 5.
Darrell Overton, a retired district administrator, began serving as the interim principal Oct. 1.
The letter said the district is beginning the search for a full-time replacement.
“I am committed to ensuring we select a stellar administrator to lead Early College High School into its next chapter as we prepare to celebrate the graduation of our inaugural senior class,” Nichols wrote.
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