A Texas State Board of Education member is calling for an investigation after a newly appointed assistant principal at a Dallas-area junior high school was identified in public social media posts as a drag performer.

The controversy began after the Arlington Independent School District (AISD) announced on June 16 that Rylee Russell-Bruton had been hired as an assistant principal at Joey Rodriguez Junior High School. In its announcement, the district praised Russell-Bruton’s experience in student support, social studies education, and campus culture development.

Days later, The Dallas Express reported that Russell-Bruton had publicly performed in drag under the stage name “Fauxbia.” Multiple social media posts identified Russell-Bruton by name while promoting drag performances, and a 2019 page for the drag competition “The Queer Off” features a performer named Fauxbia with facial features resembling Russell-Bruton.

There is no indication that Russell-Bruton performed at events involving children or that any inappropriate conduct occurred in connection with the performances.

Nevertheless, the reports prompted State Board of Education member Brandon Hall, who represents District 11, to call for further scrutiny.

In a June 20 post on social media, Hall shared a link to the report and wrote, “Children are worth protecting. It’s time to stand up.”

As of Friday, Arlington ISD had not publicly responded to requests for comment regarding the controversy. Although the district’s original announcement remained on its website, a review of Joey Rodriguez Junior High’s staff directory showed that Russell-Bruton was no longer listed among the campus administrators. Only Principal Jerod Zahn and Secretary Susan Lofton appeared on the school’s administrative page.

In a 2019 interview with Voyage Dallas, a performer using the name “Fauxbia St. Stone,” believed to be Russell-Bruton, described drag as “a fantasy” that had become reality.

“Drag is the expression of gender, and for me, nothing on this planet makes me feel more proud to be a woman than when I am in drag, and I get to exaggerate all the feminine parts of myself,” the performer said.

The interview also described performances that included comedic routines, with one example involving a parody centered on the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

The situation has added to ongoing debates in Texas and across the country over the backgrounds and public activities of school employees, particularly as lawmakers and parents continue to discuss questions surrounding education, gender identity, and age-appropriate influences in public schools.

At the time of publication, neither Arlington ISD nor Russell-Bruton had publicly addressed Hall’s request for an investigation.