Lovejoy schools chief out amid conduct allegations
2 days after retirement email, board appoints assistant to interim role
Lovejoy ISD replaces its superintendent after Ted Moore resigned amid allegations of “inappropriate conduct.”
Lovejoy ISD replaced its superintendent Wednesday night after Ted Moore suddenly resigned amid allegations of “in appropriate conduct” with “adult victims,” the school board said.
The small school district — which includes the cities of Lucas, Fairview and part of Allen — notified parents and staff
members late Wednesday that Assistant Superintendent Dennis Womack would step into the top job after Moore submitted his resignation.
“To protect the confidentiality of adult victims we cannot, and will not, share the reasons we find ourselves in this position today,” Chad Collins, the school board president, said in a letter. “We are confident that our administration, campus leadership, and this Board will maintain our exemplary education, culture and values in Lovejoy in spite of the inappropriate conduct by our former superintendent.”
Moore, 64, could not be reached for comment Thursday, but in an email sent Monday to district staff, he said he planned to retire.
“People have always told me that I would know when it was time to retire and now is that time,” Moore wrote. “I continue to have health issues and be
lieve now is the time for me to retire with 42 years of service to public education.”
The district released a brief statement Thursday afternoon recapping what Collins said in his letter.
“We are very disappointed to hear about the alleged misconduct with staff by the former superintendent,” the statement said. “Within hours of learning of the allegations, swift action was taken by our board to investigate the matter, and a board meeting was called. We moved quickly to appoint Dr. Dennis Womack as the Interim Superintendent of Lovejoy Independent School District, effective immediately. We do not condone any mis conduct, and are committed to promoting and providing an exemplary education and culture for all students and staff.”
The former superintendent has a reputation within the district as a fighter who pushes back aggressively against his critics and any hint of controversy.
In 2010, he delivered a presentation titled “Under Siege: Responding to Cyber Terrorists.” The “cyber terrorist” in question was a website critiquing Moore and the district, operated by Lucas resident Brenda Rizos.
“He’s a very abusive guy. He’s a bully,” Rizos said. “I do not believe you retire for no good reason . ... I’ve been telling anybody who would listen because I think that he was a credible threat.”
Moore made headlines in 2008 when he promised to lose 100 pounds in a year to live a healthier lifestyle and lead his students and staff by example.
“Of all the things we do to teach, the most important thing we do is model,” Moore said at the time. “If we want it for our children, we should model it in our own lives.”
According to The Red Ledger, Lovejoy High School’s student newspaper, the emergency board meeting Wednesday night was conducted primarily in a twohour closed session. The district’s statement was then read aloud in open session and later distributed by email. Moore was not present at that meeting, according to The Red Ledger.
Womack, the new superintendent, has been with the district 14 years and had served as assistant superintendent of operations.
“Our Board is confident Dr. Womack will successfully lead Lovejoy through this transition, and we all look forward to supporting him,” Collins’ letter said.
The board promised further updates during the transition to new leadership.
“Your school board will continue to make decisions in the best interest of every child, family, and employee in the Lovejoy School District,” the letter concluded.