Texas Historical Society Board Members Resign, Avoiding Court Trial in History Teaching Dispute.

The Texas State Historical Association Resolves Dispute ⁢Over Board Balance

The Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)⁤ has reached a ⁣resolution in​ a contentious legal battle by agreeing to make significant changes to its board. The⁢ association’s president and secretary have agreed to resign, avoiding a potential court trial.

The TSHA, founded in 1897, is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to documenting the history of Texas. Its board, consisting of academics ‌and non-academics, plays a crucial role in shaping the state’s history curriculum and publications.

However, the⁤ board has been​ embroiled in controversy over the ideological ⁤balance of its members. The association’s executive director, J.P. Bryan, filed a lawsuit ‌and⁣ injunction against Nancy​ Baker Jones, the acting president of TSHA, alleging⁤ that some academics on the⁣ board were attempting to vilify Texas’s traditional heroes and promote a white supremacist​ narrative of the state’s history.

The lawsuit argued that the board was violating its bylaws by not maintaining​ a substantial balance ⁤between⁣ academics and⁤ non-academics. ‍Supporters of the academics launched a website urging people to sign a petition‌ against Bryan’s lawsuit, claiming that the association was being taken away from its members.

‘Hostile Takeover’ Accusations

In response, the association accused Bryan of orchestrating a hostile takeover with his lawsuit.⁣ Former presidents of‌ TSHA wrote an open letter to ⁤the current board members,⁤ stating that Bryan’s actions ⁤threatened the survival of the organization.

The association claimed that Bryan wanted to whitewash​ its publications and events to align with his pro-Anglo ideology of Texas history. They argued that his ideology downplayed the ⁢role of Indigenous people, Hispanics, African Americans, and women in shaping Texas.

Despite the opposition, Bryan ⁢obtained a‍ temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against Jones. However, during a recent meeting, Jones⁤ and Secretary ‌Stephanie Cole agreed to resign,‌ and two non-academics‌ will replace them. Another ​non-academic will fill a third vacancy to restore balance to the board.

As a result, Bryan has dropped his lawsuit, and a trial will no longer proceed. He expressed his belief ‌that the board will now operate as originally intended,‍ with a proper balance ⁢between⁣ academics and non-academics.

Bryan ⁣plans to nominate three individuals to fill the vacant ⁤board seats, confident that qualified ​individuals will step forward ⁣to contribute to the ⁣association’s mission.

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