NEWS
Lawyer blames BISD board for suicide
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
A civil rights attorney reportedly representing the late Justin Kuecher gave the Bowie Independent School District Trustees a scathing rebuke accusing the district of actions that led to the “suicide” of Kuecher last week at his home.
C.J Grisham, an attorney from Temple, spoke to the board during public comments on Aug. 26, following a pair of public hearing meetings on the budget and tax rate and just as the board was going into a virtual training meeting. Board President Jacky Betts allowed him to speak with a five-minute time limit noting his topic was abuse of public office.
In an Aug. 18 meeting the board voted to pursue criminal charges against Kuecher who allegedly illegally recorded conversations with district staff without their knowledge or permission. Following an executive session with the district attorney the board voted to move forward with filing a charge related to unlawful interception by electronic device. Trustees Jeff Jackson and Angie Christmas abstained from the vote.
Bowie Police received a personal complaint from administrative secretary Kelli Ragsdale on Aug. 8, as she said Kuecher used a cell phone to record parties who were unaware they were being recorded. Kuecher had been filling out paperwork to run for place three on the board.
run for place three on the board and had his phone on recording the process, when he had to go outside to his vehicle to get his driver’s license. Police reported Kuecher then posted the recordings on social media.
Lt. Bob Blackburn of the Bowie Police Department said this type of offense is a second degree felony. He said a warrant had been obtained for the case, but Kuecher had not yet been arrested.
Jack Lawson, chief deputy with the Montague County sheriff’s office, said that office received a call about the death on Aug. 21 after someone in the family found Kuecher’s body at his home in the Sunset area. Lawson said the preliminary cause of death appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, but the investigation is still pending.
Grisham said he mostly focuses on first and second amendment issues, but he represents Justin Kuecher, whom he says the board voted to have charged with “a fake and bogus crime.”
“I am not sure what it was, what I do know is you guys have blood on your hands. My client, Justin, is dead, he committed suicide because he was facing a bogus felony charge from this board,” said Grisham.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
Bowie and Sunset emergency personnel and Department of Public Safety Troopers went to this wreck shortly before 4 p.m. on Thursday. It appears to have involved a large semi-truck and this white SUV. It did not appear that anyone was injured although Bowie EMS responded. No additional details were available. (News photo by Barbara Green)
Newly elected members of the Bowie City Council will meet in a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Nov. 17.
City officials previously announced there would be one meeting in November and one in December.
After canvassing votes from the Nov. 3 elections, Levi Bailey, precinct one; Laura Sproles, precinct two and Terry Gunter, precinct three, will receive the oath office, afterwhich a mayor protem will be selected.
In new items of business, a request for $37,782.96 out of the tap account to buy 30 three-quarter water meters, 12 two-inch water meters and 100 modules will be examined.
City Emergency Management Coordinator Kirk Higgins will present a public meeting on the city’s emergency management plan. The planning and zoning commission also will offer a recommendation on a replat request in the Hutchison Addition.
An executive session is set for consultation with the city attorney related to a sewer easement agreement with Gary Coker.
In the city manager’s report, Bert Cunningham will report on the Rock and Pillar drainage project, the Glenn Hills Lift Station, phase three of the sewer line replacement project and phase two of the sewer line project.
Trustees of the Bowie Independent School District will meet at 5:15 p.m. on Nov. 16.
Three returning board members will take the oath of office following an uncontested election. They are Guy Green, Lee Hughes and Keith Richey. The current officers will be dissolved and a new slate elected.
In recognition, the district will introduce the state cross country qualifiers and the eighth grade football team.
Superintendent Donna Hale will present the monthly operation reports, attendance and enrollment figures and personnel updates.
Director of Student Service Jason Childress will discuss the House Bill 3 goals, followed by campus administrator reports.
In action items, the 2025-26 financial and compliance report will be considered for approval, along with Bowie ISD board goals, HB3 board goals, board of trustee operating procedures and discussion of a board resolution authorizing a one-time employee retention payment.
The agenda also includes a closed session with no specific topic listed only the items that can be considered in executive session.
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