Principal Chandra D. Hooper-Barnett
Woodrow Wilson High School. Photography by Lauren Allen.
This story was updated Oct. 28, 2025 at 11 pm
Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde announced in a letter to families Tuesday, Oct. 28 that Woodrow Wilson High School Principal Chandra Hooper-Barnett “will not return” to her role.
This follows the previous day’s news that Danielle Petters, the previous executive director of the Woodrow Wilson Vertical Team and former principal at J.L. Long Middle School, would serve as interim principal of WWHS.
Both announcements mentioned an incident or meeting that occurred. Facebook users speculated that this incident is related to a meeting Hooper-Barnett held with Black students, in which they were blamed for the school’s state accountability rating, and commenters described it as inappropriate and racist (here and here). Elizalde does not describe the incident in detail, but she did confirm a meeting occurred at the high school last week during a student advisory period.
“Many of you, understandably, have questions and concerns about what transpired during the meeting, and you deserve answers,” the superintendent’s letter reads. “While I am committed to transparency, I ask for your patience to allow time for our internal process to be fully completed. Let me be clear, that meeting was not sanctioned and should not have happened. I recognize the impact this had on our school community, and my commitment to each of you is to make sure every voice is heard, every perspective shared, and all students are treated with fairness, dignity and respect.”
Elizalde said in the letter that the decision to remove Hooper-Barnett “was carefully considered and made with our students’ best interest in mind.” She affirmed her faith in Petters “to build trust in this community and confidence in our campus leadership.”
Prior to this decision, Hooper-Barnett released a letter of her own to apologize.
“The decision to hold that meeting and subsequent discussion that transpired was not appropriate,” Hooper-Barnett’s letter reads. “I take full ownership and responsibility for what occurred, and I want to assure you that it was never my intent to single out or cause harm to any group of students. I understand my actions and decisions have caused disappointment and frustration, and for that, I sincerely apologize. Please know that my dedication to my students’ growth, safety and success has always been at the heart of everything I do. This experience has reminded me of the importance of leading with humility, integrity and accountability. I am committed to learning from this and rebuilding the trust that has been shaken. I love this community deeply and will do what is best for our campus, even if that means stepping aside to allow for healing and growth. Woodrow is home, and I want the
absolute best for the students and staff I serve.”
