Teacher charged with double homicide resigns after four days

Andrew James McGann resigned shortly after being hired, raising concerns about hiring practices.

Teacher charged with double homicide worked four days in Plano ISD

Andrew James McGann, the 28-year-old accused of murdering Clinton and Cristen Brink in Arkansas, was employed by Plano ISD for only four days. He held a teaching position from August 6 to August 9, 2024, before resigning voluntarily. The district confirmed he passed all necessary background checks and did not have direct contact with students during his brief tenure. McGann’s history includes prior employment at Lewisville ISD, where he faced administrative leave due to issues related to classroom management, yet no evidence of misconduct with students was found. Recent remarks from concerned parents and Texas State Board member Brandon Hall have raised significant questions about McGann’s hiring. Hall noted that without any formal charges against him, McGann could slip through hiring systems, underscoring a glaring gap in educator reporting.

The case of Andrew McGann indicates significant flaws in the hiring practices within educational systems. Despite passing background checks, the troubling signs from his time in Lewisville ISD went unnoticed. Concerns raised by parents suggest a cultural reluctance to imagine that a teacher could pose a threat, which may lead to oversight of early red flags. The Texas State Board of Education is now facing pressure to revisit regulations that could prevent such individuals from entering school environments unmonitored. As the investigation unfolds, it raises critical implications for student safety and trust in educational institutions.

Highlights

The case could prompt necessary changes in how schools vet educators before hiring.