Plano ISD Sued by Mothers Over Alleged Takeover of Choir Booster Club

A group of Plano Independent School District mothers is suing the district, alleging employees attempted to take control of an independent booster club.  

The Jasper High School Choir Booster Club has operated as an independent nonprofit organization since 2022, allowing people with similar interests and goals to work together for a common purpose. 

The club maintains an IRS tax identification number and bank accounts at Prosperity Bank and Vantage Bank. 

According to the lawsuit, Plano ISD adopted Board Policy GE in 2022, which purported to regulate booster club activities. The policy stated that organizations “should also strive to further the District’s and each school’s goals and objectives,” “function in a way that is consistent with the District’s philosophy and objectives,” and that parent and citizen organizations operating within schools must comply with district policy and obtain superintendent approval.

The policy also stated that organizations that failed to comply could be denied permission to participate in school activities. 

After numerous discussions with Plano ISD employees, the mothers believed the issues had been resolved. However, the lawsuit states that on March 30, 2022, the booster club received a letter from Jasper High School Principal Billie Jean Lee stating that the club “would cease to be recognized.” 

The booster club then filed an administrative grievance with Plano ISD. The mothers allege the process lasted 10 months and claim district officials were “colluding to take over the Booster Club.” 

The lawsuit alleges school officials stopped delivering the booster club’s mail sent to the high school, opened and retained the organization’s mail, including bank statements, directed the school district’s attorney to contact vendors and recipients of booster club funds, and attempted to persuade third parties to convince Booster Club President Laura Cervantes to withdraw her grievance. 

The mothers further allege district employees attempted to obtain money from the club’s Prosperity Bank account. According to the lawsuit, the bank later informed the mothers it was closing the account and that they could pick up a check for the remaining funds. 

The next day, the mothers deposited the check at Vantage Bank to open a new account. However, they said their insurance company later informed them the check had been returned and that the account had been frozen. 

Shortly afterward, the mothers said they were contacted by Plano Police Department Detective Jerry Minton, who identified himself as a forgery investigator and informed them he was investigating the club and its officers. 

On Aug. 22, 2024, Minton executed a probable cause affidavit that the club officers allege was based on false statements. The officers were arrested on felony theft charges involving more than $2,500 but less than $30,000. 

A Collin County grand jury declined to indict Cervantes and the other officers. 

After Cervantes’ case was dismissed, Plano ISD adopted a stricter version of Board Policy GE in 2025. According to the lawsuit, the revised policy “purports to impose all manner of restrictions and requirements upon parents and independent organizations.”

The lawsuit further alleges the policy gives Plano ISD broad authority to classify parent-teacher associations, booster clubs and other parent organizations as “District-affiliated school-support organizations.” 

Under the 2025 policy, the district may exercise its “full authority to terminate a program when it no longer meets the needs of the District or because it is no longer convenient to support the program within the school” and declare that “[a]ny gifts provided through implementation of a program through privately funded sources shall become the property of the District.” 

Cervantes and the booster club have now filed a federal lawsuit challenging the district’s authority to regulate and control independent nonprofit organizations. The lawsuit also seeks to hold Plano ISD accountable for what it describes as the wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution of three mothers. 

“Parents should never face retaliation, criminal accusations, or arrest for refusing to surrender control of organizations they built, funded, and operated independently,” said Cervantes. “This lawsuit is about accountability and ensuring no other family experiences what ours did—an unrelenting, traumatizing campaign that shattered reputations, caused financial harm, and turned parent volunteers into targets.”

The lawsuit alleges violations of the First, Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments. 

“No parent should be targeted or falsely accused for exercising their constitutional rights,” said Colby Wiltse, CEO of Citizens Defending Freedom. “The allegations in this lawsuit paint a troubling picture of government overreach and abuse of authority. When public officials use their positions to retaliate against citizens that question or stand up to them, they must be held accountable. We are proud to stand with the Plaintiffs as they seek justice and accountability.” 

Plano ISD did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.