On March 9, 2007, the NFISD board voted 4-3 to terminate Dr. James Simpson, the superintendent."North Forest ISD superintendent fired amidst money mismanagement scandal ," ABC-13 KTRK-TV, March 9, 2007 In May, the state ordered the district to reinstate Simpson, saying that he had been denied due process."North Forest ISD is told to reinstate superintendent," ABC-13 KTRK-TV, May 22, 2007 In November that year the TEA appointed an academic overseer to monitor the district; the TEA had sent a financial overseer in March."North Forest ISD hit with second sanction," Houston Chronicle, November 10, 2007 On January 23, 2008, the trustees voted to rehire Simpson."Déjà vu vote: North Forest ISD rehires fired superintendent," Houston Chronicle, January 23, 2008 On January 28, the Houston Chronicle reported that an independent auditor had told the trustees that the district was close to bankruptcy,"North Forest nearing bankruptcy, auditor reports," Houston Chronicle, January 28, 2008 and three days later that the TEA had investigated the district for possible illegality in the use of construction funds for general purposes."North Forest school district's woes grow," Houston Chronicle, January 31, 2008 On February 4, a trustee requested to change his "Yes" vote for re-instating Simpson to a "No"."North Forest ISD board rescinds its superintendent choice," KHOU-TV The TEA denied the district's decision to reinstate Simpson. In March that year, the Northeast Education First community group asked for the state to fire the school board;"North Forest community group to governor: Oust the school board." Houston Chronicle. Governor Rick Perry denied the request."Bid to replace North Forest school board denied." Houston Chronicle. March 20, 2008. On March 26 the district stated that it would lay off 90 teachers to try to reduce its budget crisis."Troubled North Forest ISD laying off 90 teachers." Houston Chronicle. The TEA estimated that the district would have a $17 million debt by August 2008."School district decides to cut jobs ." KTRK-TV.
