Controversial School Board Trustee Resigns

ODESSA, TX – The Ector County School Board Member who has been under fire recently for being an alleged racist has now put in his letter of resignation. 

As previously reported, on June 10, Doyle Woodall an Ector County School Board Trustee has been facing backlash after posting offensive content. Things such as “It’s not murder" and “Jews aren’t actually people." were posted to his Facebook when talking about Nazi officers. A second image showed a pregnant woman and another woman with “It’s not murder” on top and “Babies aren’t actually people” on the bottom. There many more here. 

Woodall has now resigned as of June 11.

"I was first elected to the school board in May. of 2004. In 2005 we created the SHAC Committee. With their help we brought in the Life Center to help with our sex education program. Since then teen pregnancies have gone down 28 percent. In 2006 Collin Sewell and the Education Foundation presented the AVID program to the board for our consideration. I jumped in with both feet and the board was able to implement AVID on all campuses. OHS is one of the very few 4000+ campuses in the world to become a national demonstration school. The IB program was in existence at OHS before I was elected to the board and with my help it continues to grow. Many have come against it because of the cost but I have fought hard to keep it. Both programs are designed to help minorities prepare and succeed at the university level.

While on the board I have served as secretary three times, Vice President twice and president during the 2018-2019 school year. During that year we brought in Jim Nelson to be our interim superintendent and passed a TRE. My proudest moment was when we named Scott Muri to be our new superintendent. That was no small feat. Some board members were pushing to hire in house and did not want to go to the expense and effort to do an exhaustive search. Because I stood my ground ECISD now has arguably the best superintendent in the nation. 

My wife usually proof reads my letters before I send them in but not this time. She will get this one when everyone else does. This one needs to be 100 percent me. I hope she survives it.

It is with no regret that I, at this time, tender my resignation, effectively immediately but not for the reasons you may think. My 88-year-old mother is ill and it takes a lot of time to help her but that is not the main reason. I was blindsided by a life altering family issue Tuesday evening. My family has always came first. I don’t know if it will take weeks, months, or years to resolve these issues but I know I can’t give all children and teachers the time it takes to do this job. They deserve so much more than I can give them at this time. After these issues are resolved, I may run again in 2021, if my situation allows.

To the tens of thousands of people who have supported me, thank you. Please continue to support our schools. We have an amazing superintendent and staff. ECISD has wonderful teachers that truly love and encourage all of your children. The board is one of the best in Texas.

To the few thousand that have protested against me, to the cowards that who have called on restricted numbers with their death threats, and to the many small minded people that believe a person is a racist if you disagree with them; it’s been fun.

It is with no regrets that I send this letter. If all of this hadn’t happened, I still would have resigned on this date."