LIVE OAK, Texas – The Judson Independent School District School Board voted to propose termination of the employment contract for superintendent Milton “Rob” Fields III on Wednesday evening.
The vote comes after months of debate between board members, including at least four agenda items over the last year, on whether to terminate Fields due to an ongoing, closed-door investigation.
“This is bad timing,” trustee Laura Stanford said. “I don’t feel it’s responsible for us to take this action.”
The proposal was decided on a 4-3 split, with trustees Suzanne Kenoyer, Jose Macias Jr. and Stanford being a vocal minority against Board President Monica Ryan and the other three board members.
Fields will remain on administrative leave with pay, according to a statement from Ryan, “pending the conclusion of the legal process as required by the Texas Educational Code.”
Despite public calls for transparency, Ryan said she can not share any parts of the investigation.
“With any employee in our district, or any student or any family, we don’t share things when they’re ongoing,” Ryan said, “and that’s out of privacy.”
But an hour later, during public comment, Ryan said the concerns impacted “student safety.”
After months of deliberating on Fields’ role within the district, homeowner Laura Butler told board members she is filing a lawsuit against the district.
“Us taxpayers, we deserve to know the truth,” Butler said. “We deserve truth, we deserve representation and we deserve for there not to be a conspiracy theory against the one man who is us, who was raised in Judson ISD, graduated, came back after serving 20+ years in the military, retired and came back,” Butler continued. “He is us, and we stand behind him.”
Trustee Suzanne Kenoyer doubled down on the allegations.
“There was a walking quorum, which is a violation of the Open Meetings Act,” Kenoyer said during the meeting, “which is a misdemeanor with a fine and jail time.”
Trustee Jose Macias Jr. also said there was no criminal activity or “misconduct that meant to be at the level where someone would be fired,” regarding the investigation into Fields.
“This was inter-office politics,” Macias Jr. said.
Ryan said that she agrees the community deserves transparency in an interview with KSAT, and said she looks forward to sharing details with the community.
The statement from Judson ISD can be read below:
Last night, February 4, 2026, the Judson ISD Board of Trustees held a special meeting to terminate Superintendent Dr. Milton “Rob” Fields III’s employment contract and will remain on administrative leave with pay.
During the same meeting, the Board voted to appoint Dr. Mary Duhart-Toppen as Interim Superintendent. Dr. Duhart-Toppen brings deep institutional knowledge and experience, and is dedicated to providing steady leadership and continuity during this transition.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Duhart-Toppen remains confident in the strength of the district’s administrative and campus leadership teams. Together, we will continue focusing on educating students, supporting staff, serving families, and advancing district priorities.
Judson ISD
The statement from Board President Monica Ryan can be read below:
During a lawfully called board meeting held on February 4, 2026 the Judson ISD Board of Trustees took formal action regarding the leadership of the District. The Board voted to propose the termination of the Superintendent’s Dr. Milton “Rob” Fields III employment contract. Further, the board took action that the Superintendent will remain on administrative leave with pay pending the conclusion of the legal process as required by the Texas Education Code.
To ensure continuity of operations and leadership, the Board has appointed Dr. Mary Duhart-Toppen currently serving as Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning to the role of Interim Superintendent of until further notice.
The Board remains fully committed to the success of our schools. Our primary focus continues to be our students, our employees and the community we serve. We have full confidence in our staff to maintain a stable, high-quality learning environment during this process.
Monica Ryan, Judson ISD School Board President
Mary Duhart-Toppen selected as Interim Superintendent
The board voted 5-2 in favor of Macias Jr.’s candidate for Interim Superintendent, Mary Duhart-Toppen, who currently serves as the district’s deputy superintendent of teaching and learning.
Ryan and trustee Amanda Poteet were the only two who voted against Duhart-Toppen.
In a letter written to the Judson ISD community, Duhart-Toppen said that her focus remains committed towards the district’s students, staff and families.
“I want to assure our community that our teachers, staff, campus leaders, and district cabinet will continue working together collaboratively,” Duhart-Toppen said.
“We remain confident in the strength of our teams across the district,” Duhart-Toppen continued, “and together we will stay focused on educating students, supporting staff, serving families, and advancing district priorities.”
Duhart-Toppen has 28 years of experience in education, including 25 years with Judson ISD, serving in many roles from English teacher to principal to deputy superintendent.
She holds a Doctorate in Education from Walden University, as well as a master’s degree from Lamar University and a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Read the full letter Mary Duhart-Toppen below:
On February 4, 2026, the Judson ISD Board of Trustees appointed me to this role with the expectation of providing steady leadership, continuity, and focus on what matters most: our students, our staff, and the families we serve. I am grateful for the trust placed in me and remain fully committed to supporting our district community.
I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Dr. Lacey Gosch for her leadership as Acting Superintendent for the past several weeks. Her service and steady guidance helped ensure continuity for our schools and central office teams, and I am thankful for her commitment to Judson ISD.
I want to assure our community that our teachers, staff, campus leaders, and district cabinet will continue working together collaboratively. We remain confident in the strength of our teams across the district, and together we will stay focused on educating students, supporting staff, serving families, and advancing district priorities.
For those I have not yet had the opportunity to meet, I have spent 28 years in education across Texas and Louisiana, including 25 years in Judson ISD. During that time, I have been privileged to serve as an English teacher, department chair, district curriculum specialist, academic dean, assistant principal, principal, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction and most recently as Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, a Master of Education from Lamar University, and a Doctorate of Education from Walden University. My passion is rooted in teaching and learning, supporting students, and developing leadership capacity in others.
At the heart of my work is my family. I am grateful for the love and support of my husband, Anthony, and our two children, Gabriel and Courtney who are both proud alumni of Judson ISD from grades K-12.
I look forward to working with you as we continue to foster a welcoming learning environment where every student feels valued and supported in their academic, emotional, and social growth.
Mary Duhart-Toppen, Jusdon ISD Interim Superintendent
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect that the board “proposed” to terminate Fields during their Feb. 4 meeting.
KSAT has been following Judson ISD’s multiple attempts to terminate Fields. Read more of our reporting below: