Schools

Mansfield Schools Superintendent to Resign Amid Plagiarism Charges

Brenda Hodges' commencement address last month had many similarities to one delivered by U.S. Navy Admiral William McRaven during his commencement address at the University of Texas at Austin in May.

Mansfield schools Superintendent Brenda Hodges on Wednesday announced she will resign amid plagiarism charges.

Hodges' commencement address last month had many similarities to one delivered by U.S. Navy Admiral William McRaven during his commencement address at the University of Texas at Austin in May.

Parts of Hodges' speech appear to be taken word-for-word from McRaven's address.

Hodges has denied any plagiarism.

"My graduation speech has been the source of much discussion and dissection," she wrote in her resignation letter. "Moving forward, I do not believe the school system can continue to make the progress it has made if this issue remains a distraction."

Hodges said she will work through Aug. 29. After that, she said she "will be receiving medical treatment for a longstanding injury." She will then retire June 30, 2015. Hodges has worked for the school system in various leadership roles for 14 years.

Hodges announced retirement plans after an online petition was started demanding her resignation.

"The status of education in the Mansfield Public School System is on the line," the petition reads. "If we want to set a good example for our students and surrounding areas of what Mansfield education is all about, we need a leader who will make the detrimental consequences of plagiarism clear and take no part in it themselves."

Related coverage of the controversy:


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