Texas Governor Abbott calls for investigation into Irving ISD administrator over alleged misconduct

TEXAS – Texas Governor Greg Abbott has called for an immediate investigation into allegations that an Irving Independent School District (ISD) administrator advised a parent on circumventing state law to allow a male student to compete in girls’ sports. The administrator, Reny Lizardo, Executive Director of Campus Operations for Irving ISD, was allegedly caught on undercover footage providing guidance on how to bypass regulations.

According to the footage, Lizardo met with an individual posing as the parent of a “transgender girl” and suggested that changing the child’s birth certificate from male to female could be a way to navigate Texas’ restrictions on transgender athletes. He was reportedly heard saying, “It’s not illegal if you don’t get caught.”

When confronted about the conversation, Lizardo denied making the statements. However, the footage allegedly captures him suggesting that if the birth certificate change was done discreetly, he would act as if the conversation never took place. He also reportedly advised the parent to enroll the child without providing a birth certificate, stating that the school often stops requesting documentation for students, particularly those who are undocumented.

Additional Irving ISD officials, including Mahoganie Gaston, an LGBT Youth Program Coordinator, and Angie Lee, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), were also allegedly involved in encouraging the parent to alter official records. Discussions reportedly extended to mixed-room accommodations on school sports trips.

Following the revelations, Governor Abbott issued a strong statement demanding accountability.

“This Irving ISD Administrator should be fired on the spot. Both criminal & civil investigations must be taken against both the Administrator & Irving ISD.”

The governor further questioned whether the district had engaged in fraudulent activity, stating:

“Has Irving ISD and its employees been involved in a fraudulent breach of state laws & a cover-up? We must get the facts.”

This Irving ISD Administrator should be fired on the spot.

Both criminal & civil investigations must be taken against both the Administrator & Irving ISD.

Has Irving ISD and its employees been involved in a fraudulent breach of state laws & a cover up?

We must get the facts. https://t.co/G2w5guqezl

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 29, 2025

Calls for disciplinary action and legal scrutiny have intensified as officials examine the implications of the alleged misconduct. Irving ISD has yet to issue a formal response to the allegations or the governor’s demands for an investigation.