The Carrollton-Farmers Branch school board voted unanimously late Thursday to begin the process of firing Superintendent Annette Griffin.

At nearly midnight, after a roughly three-hour closed-door meeting, the board approved a proposal to discharge "for good cause" the contract of Dr. Griffin, 62, who is facing a charge of driving while intoxicated.

Trustees will meet Dec. 4 to consider taking final action on her firing.

"It was not an easy decision for me in light of Dr. Griffin's significant contributions to the district over the last decade," trustee Howard Fisher said. "But the superintendent must be a role model for the staff and the students. What has transpired was a breach of trust to the board and the community."

Mr. Fisher said the superintendent's failure to report her arrest to the board was a factor in the decision to begin termination proceedings. According to board policy, employees should report arrests within three days.

Dr. Griffin did not attend Thursday's meeting and has not spoken publicly about her situation. On Friday, her profile had been removed from the district's Web site.

By state law, the superintendent must be given written notice of the reasons for termination, and she has the right to appeal the decision by requesting an independent hearing.

The district released a statement Friday noting that the action is based on "alleged violations of board policies, directives and state law." It added, "To the extent required by law, Dr. Griffin's pay will continue during this process."

Her $285,000 salary is one of the highest for superintendents in the state. Dr. Griffin has been on voluntary paid leave since Oct. 9.

Few parents or school board members spoke at Thursday's meeting. Karin Webb, a former teacher and Farmers Branch resident, said she believed termination was necessary because the superintendent did not report her arrest.

"I do feel for her as a human being," she said. "But superintendents are held to higher expectations. When you go into this profession, you go into it knowing you are serving a greater cause than yourself."

Janie Stark Elementary PTA president Cindy Goodspeed said had met with the superintendent about school boundary concerns and found her helpful.

"It's disappointing for her, and it's probably been a hard decision for the board because she has great strengths," she said. "I'm sad for her. I hope she gets help."

School board president John Tepper said that because the case is a personnel matter, the board cannot discuss everything involved in its decision.

"The board is taking our responsibility very seriously in this matter and acting in the best interest of the students," he said. "We had to consider the sum total of everything we know. I'm sure you'd like to know everything we know, but we can't tell you that."

Mr. Tepper said that board members are concerned about the superintendent, and that "our hearts and prayers are with Dr. Griffin and her family."

Trustees said they learned of Dr. Griffin's Aug. 21 arrest only after they approved her leave nearly two months later. She was arrested at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport's north toll booth plaza with a blood-alcohol level of 0.19, more than twice the legal limit.

Dr. Griffin has not been convicted of DWI; her case is scheduled to be heard in court Dec. 9.

Dr. Griffin, who has served as the district's superintendent since 1997, won Texas Superintendent of the Year in 2000. She was previously superintendent in the Duncanville and Carroll school districts, and she also served as a school board member in Richardson ISD.