A Judson Independent School District resident has filed a civil lawsuit against the district and its board president, alleging violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act and claiming district leadership engaged in retaliatory and self-dealing conduct surrounding a January 2026 special board meeting that led to the removal of the superintendent.

The lawsuit, filed Jan. 23, 2026, in Bexar County’s 166th Judicial District Court, was brought by Lisa Butler, who identifies herself as a resident of Bexar County and an interested member of the public into the affairs of Judson ISD. The defendants are Judson Independent School District and Monica Ryan, the president of the district’s board of trustees.

Special Meeting at Center of Dispute

According to the petition, the dispute centers on a special meeting of the Judson ISD board held on Jan. 10, 2026. Butler alleges the meeting was scheduled and conducted without proper notice, agenda preparation, or compliance with district policy and state law.

The filing states that the meeting notice failed to adequately describe the subject matter to be considered, instead referencing only a vague “removal of the superintendent.” Butler contends that the notice did not inform the public of the specific action proposed, depriving residents of the ability to observe or understand how and why the decision would be made.

The petition further alleges that no agenda or proposed resolution was timely distributed to board members before the meeting and that some trustees questioned the legality of the meeting upon receiving notice without supporting documentation.

Alleged Violation of Texas Open Meetings Act

The lawsuit asserts that the meeting violated Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, commonly known as the Texas Open Meetings Act, which requires governmental bodies to provide meaningful notice of meetings and the subjects to be discussed.

According to the filing, the lack of specificity was especially significant because the meeting involved a matter of heightened public interest — the removal of the district’s superintendent. The petition cites prior Texas appellate rulings holding that when a governmental body considers major actions, such as personnel decisions affecting district leadership, the notice must clearly inform the public of the nature of the action being contemplated.

Butler alleges that because the subject of the meeting was not properly disclosed, any action taken during the meeting is voidable under state law.

Allegations of Retaliation and Self-Dealing

The lawsuit alleges that Board President Monica Ryan used her position to influence district operations in matters involving her family. According to the petition, Ryan forced district teachers to provide a Spanish II course for her daughter that was not otherwise offered at the school, requiring the district to expend funds to create the class. The filing states that Ryan’s daughter was the only student enrolled in the course.

The petition further alleges that the class was created under the threat of retaliation against any teacher or principal who refused to comply. The lawsuit characterizes these actions as ultra vires and self-dealing conduct carried out while Ryan was acting in her official capacity.

Butler argues that these alleged actions are relevant to the broader dispute surrounding the January 10, 2026 special board meeting, which she claims was improperly noticed and conducted in violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act. 

Superintendent Removal and Appointment Dispute

The lawsuit alleges that following the disputed vote, Ryan bypassed three individuals of color in favor of appointing a white individual as acting superintendent. Butler claims this decision occurred immediately after the vote removing the superintendent and was carried out without proper procedure or notice. The filing argues that the removal decision and subsequent appointment were the product of an unlawfully noticed meeting and should therefore be declared void.

Relief Requested From the Court

Butler is asking the court to declare the January 10, 2026 special meeting unlawful and to void all actions taken during that meeting, including the removal of the superintendent.

The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order, temporary injunction, and permanent injunction barring Judson ISD and Ryan from holding future meetings without full compliance with the Open Meetings Act. It also asks the court to prohibit Ryan from calling additional meetings related to the same subject matter and to restrain her from engaging in further ultra vires acts while serving as board president.

In addition, Butler is requesting attorney’s fees and court costs under the Texas Open Meetings Act and the Uniform Declaratory Judgments Act.

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