Thank you, GNAT

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of visiting with members of GNAT (Good News Available Transportation) on the occasion of their DFW GNAT Shining Star 2009 awards program.

Education is one of the priorities of GNAT, and the organization is a strong supporter of public education.  

It was a pleasure to be present for the awards event and to learn more about the outstanding community service of GNAT.

Thank you, Board Chairman Lonnie Woods, Judge Thomas G. Jones, and members for an evening of inspiration.

12-point agenda violates trustee ethics

How can a newly elected Trustee truthfully give the officer's statement below if the Trustee has made advance promises to existing Trustees in return for their political and financial support?

Trustee Jack Lowe's very specific 12-point agenda includes a commitment to vote a certain way on several very important issues which will come before Trustees at a future time. Click Here!    Tawnell Hobbs of the Dallas Morning News previously commented on this list.

This includes a specific promise to vote for Trustee Edwin Flores as Board President for the next two and a half years and to keep the current Superintendent.

The Trustee officer's statement is contained in policy BBB(Exhibit). Click Here!

OFFICER’S STATEMENT

“I, ________________________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have not directly or indirectly paid, offered, promised to pay, contributed, or promised to contribute any money or thing of value, or promised any public office or employment for the giving or withholding of a vote at the election at which I was elected or as a reward to secure my appointment or confirmation, whichever the case may be, so help me God.” Tex. Const. Art. XVI, Sec. 1(b)

The 12-point agenda appears to violate the Trustee Code of Ethics contained in policy BBF(Local-Ethics) Click Here - as well as the restrictions on public servants contained in policy BBFB(Legal-Ethics). Click Here!

Trustees must follow the guidelines contained in Board policies, state laws and the Texas Constitution.

They appear to have been violated.

Almost no election until November 2010

The action of Dallas ISD Trustees in extending Trustee terms from 3 to 4 years would have eliminated both the May 2009 Trustee election (Flores, Ellis, Price) and the May 2010 Trustee election (Bingham, Blackburn, Garza). The May 2011 election would include Lowe, Ranger, and Medrano.

You will find this mentioned in the opinion request letter of Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott sent on December 3, 2008 to the Attorney General where it is noted:

• The trustees' action has been reported to also postpone elections previously scheduled for May, 2009 to November, 2010.

This statement appears on page 2, the last sentence before the line break.

Click Here!

This points to the likelihood there would have been no Trustee election from the date of the Dallas ISD Trustee decision on November 20, 2008 until November 2010 - a full two years.

It is very important for citizens to Vote for the candidate of their choice - not a candidate who has made secret 12-point deals with current Trustees seeking to continue imposing a narrow, destructive and self-serving agenda on the district.

Remember, thousands of citizens almost lost their right to vote at all until November 2010.

Whatever your decision, use your opportunity to Vote.

Texas Association of School Boards annual convention

The 49th annual session of the Texas Association of School Administrators and Texas Association of School Boards, the TASA/TASB convention was held during the weekend in Houston, Texas at the George Brown Convention Center.

I traveled by car on Thursday to attend this annual state event and returned on Sunday evening. My scheduled attendance at this event was known weeks in advance.

The state school board convention provides many opportunities to participate in a broad range of training sessions and to network among 6,000 school trustees, administrators, decision makers, supporters and parents.  

In addition to breakout sessions and informative lectures, including one from TEA Commissioner Robert Scott, we were privileged to hear three general session presenters:

• Alan November, educator and modern web technologies educational consultant
• Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, M.D. (Dr. Q), brain surgeon and assistant professor of neurosurgery and oncology 
• Debbie Allen, choreographer/actress and U.S. Ambassador of Culture  

Selected highlights from their presentations are worth noting.

Alan November believes students must develop three essential skills: 1) the ability to access the right information at the right time; 2) the ability to work with people all around the world; and 3) the ability to be self-directed.

Dr. Q talked about lessons of determination, resilience, faith, passion, dedication, adoration and mentoring which he learned from patients and uses to help students achieve success.  

Debbie Allen told of her rich education and immense respect for teachers and public education while urging school districts to prepare students to perform on the global stage. She believes it is imperative that teachers ignite curiosity in students. If curiosity is ignited, students will seek and discover for themselves. They will become engaged in education; they will learn more.

Numerous specific workshops were attended and worthwhile training was received for Trustee course credit.

For public education, I am glad to have the opportunity to attend the Texas Association of School Boards annual conference and the many sessions on important educational topics.

I hope to attend this annual gathering of Texas school board Trustees until my school board service ends.

Soaring Eagles at Erasmo Seguin Elementary win US Gold

Deputy Under Secretary Dr. Janey Thornton (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture) was in Dallas yesterday for one very good reason -- to present the HealthierUS School Gold Certification to students and staff of Erasmo Seguin Elementary School.

During a special ceremony, parents and friends heard high praise for the cafeteria team and its collaboration with faculty and staff to provide good nutrition, play and instruction to develop healthy bodies and minds.

Erasmo Seguin, the first  of 157 Dallas elementary schools to receive the HealthierUS School Gold Certification, is in a unique class.  Deputy Under Secretary Thornton said that only about 600 elementary schools in the country have ever received the Gold award.  Winning this ultimate achievement  is not easy -- it was the result of a year-long examination and evaluation process in which children were to "eat smart" and "play hard."  

To show how eager and committed they are to healthy eating and living, children had fun performing an original skit and song that showed parents and guests the benefits of  good food and play.  

Thanks to Erasmo Seguin cafeteria manager and staff for undertaking this tedious process and for introducing our students to more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, less sugar and less salt. Thanks to faculty and staff for your excellent team and classroom work for nutrition and health.

Much appreciation to Dallas ISD Food & Child Nutrition for handling and submitting the lengthy application -- it was a recipe for success.  

Congratulations Principal Yolanda Thompson and students on this USDA Gold Certification for the Exemplary Erasmo Seguin Elementary School.

Texas Education Code ban on 'electioneering'

Texas Education Code - Section 11.169 - Electioneering Prohibited

• Notwithstanding any other law, the board of trustees of an independent school district may not use state or local funds or other resources of the district to electioneer for or against any candidate, measure, or political party.

Would the Dallas ISD Newsline distributed to registered voters be considered a violation of the ban on "electioneering"?

Trustees might violate Texas Election Code ban on political advertising

A Short Guide To the Prohibition Against Using School District Resources for Political Advertising in Connection with an Election (Revised September 1, 2009)

Printing and mailing the Dallas ISD Newsline in its present format appears to violate the Texas Election Code - (Section 255.003) - either directly or indirectly.

This past June Dallas ISD printed and distributed the inaugural edition of Dallas ISD Newsline. The purpose of the publication is to "share news, accomplishments, and special programs and initiatives from around the district."

There is a message from Superintendent Michael Hinojosa, as well as other articles and information about the school district. That's good.

In addition, the Dallas ISD Newsline includes prominent photos of the individual Trustee and a personal message. It is mailed to each of the nine Dallas ISD Trustee districts.

Ninety thousand copies were mailed -- 10,000 copies were mailed in each district.

On this month's Board agenda, the administration is asking the Board to approve:

Printing and Postage of Dallas ISD Newsline, Fall and Spring Issues (Not to Exceed $300,000) (Consent Item #50 - Separate Item #6)

This time the plan is to mail copies of the Newsline to all registered voters in each District.

The Texas Election Code (Section 255.003) prohibits the use of school district resources to produce or distribute political advertising.

Although it will be claimed that the publication is not specifically political advertising, it clearly could be seen to serve this very purpose - in light of the November 3, 2009 specially called election.

During discussions at the August Board Briefing, I asked Trustees if they still had copies of the June (first) issue. Each Trustee was given boxes of the Newsline to distribute or for our use. Trustees responded, "Yes," indeed they still had many copies. I suggested that Trustees could distribute those copies, and we could save money by not printing a Fall Newsline.

Now it is even clearer that the Board should not approve printing and postage of Dallas ISD Newsline as requested.

This Dallas ISD Newsline is to be mailed in October – right before the special election. It is scheduled to be mailed to voters in each District.

Trustees should not approve printing and mailing the Newsline in its present format and as proposed to voters only.

The Dallas ISD Board should not appear to violate guidelines of the Ethics Commission and the Texas Election Code.

We should do the right thing.

A school district board member or employee would violate the prohibition by “spending or authorizing the spending of public funds” for political advertising.

Passing of Mrs. Dade

We mourn the passing of the widow of former Dallas ISD educator and South Dallas Principal, Dr. Billy Earl Dade.

Mrs. Wilene Dade passed away this morning after recently suffering a stroke.  She was 90. 

The Dade home is one block from Billy Earl Dade Middle Learning Center.  Mrs. Dade still lived there.  She made contributions to the school and was an invited guest at the end of the year meeting in 2008.

We extend our condolences to her family and friends.

Back to school message of President Obama

Prepared Remarks of President Barack Obama
Back to School Event

Arlington, Virginia
September 8, 2009

The President: Hello everyone – how’s everybody doing today? I’m here with students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. And we’ve got students tuning in from all across America, kindergarten through twelfth grade. I’m glad you all could join us today.

I know that for many of you, today is the first day of school. And for those of you in kindergarten, or starting middle or high school, it’s your first day in a new school, so it’s understandable if you’re a little nervous. I imagine there are some seniors out there who are feeling pretty good right now, with just one more year to go. And no matter what grade you’re in, some of you are probably wishing it were still summer, and you could’ve stayed in bed just a little longer this morning.

I know that feeling. When I was young, my family lived in Indonesia for a few years, and my mother didn’t have the money to send me where all the American kids went to school. So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday – at 4:30 in the morning.

Now I wasn’t too happy about getting up that early. A lot of times, I’d fall asleep right there at the kitchen table. But whenever I’d complain, my mother would just give me one of those looks and say, "This is no picnic for me either, buster."

So I know some of you are still adjusting to being back at school. But I’m here today because I have something important to discuss with you. I’m here because I want to talk with you about your education and what’s expected of all of you in this new school year.

Now I’ve given a lot of speeches about education. And I’ve talked a lot about responsibility.

I’ve talked about your teachers’ responsibility for inspiring you, and pushing you to learn.

I’ve talked about your parents’ responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and get your homework done, and don’t spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with that Xbox.

I’ve talked a lot about your government’s responsibility for setting high standards, supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren’t working where students aren’t getting the opportunities they deserve.

But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.

And that’s what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education. I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself.

Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide.

Maybe you could be a good writer – maybe even good enough to write a book or articles in a newspaper – but you might not know it until you write a paper for your English class. Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor – maybe even good enough to come up with the next iPhone or a new medicine or vaccine – but you might not know it until you do a project for your science class. Maybe you could be a mayor or a Senator or a Supreme Court Justice, but you might not know that until you join student government or the debate team.

And no matter what you want to do with your life – I guarantee that you’ll need an education to do it. You want to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a police officer? You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member of our military? You’re going to need a good education for every single one of those careers. You can’t drop out of school and just drop into a good job. You’ve got to work for it and train for it and learn for it.

And this isn’t just important for your own life and your own future. What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country. What you’re learning in school today will determine whether we as a nation can meet our greatest challenges in the future.

You’ll need the knowledge and problem-solving skills you learn in science and math to cure diseases like cancer and AIDS, and to develop new energy technologies and protect our environment. You’ll need the insights and critical thinking skills you gain in history and social studies to fight poverty and homelessness, crime and discrimination, and make our nation more fair and more free. You’ll need the creativity and ingenuity you develop in all your classes to build new companies that will create new jobs and boost our economy.

We need every single one of you to develop your talents, skills and intellect so you can help solve our most difficult problems. If you don’t do that – if you quit on school – you’re not just quitting on yourself, you’re quitting on your country.

Now I know it’s not always easy to do well in school. I know a lot of you have challenges in your lives right now that can make it hard to focus on your schoolwork.

I get it. I know what that’s like. My father left my family when I was two years old, and I was raised by a single mother who struggled at times to pay the bills and wasn’t always able to give us things the other kids had. There were times when I missed having a father in my life. There were times when I was lonely and felt like I didn’t fit in.

So I wasn’t always as focused as I should have been. I did some things I’m not proud of, and got in more trouble than I should have. And my life could have easily taken a turn for the worse.

But I was fortunate. I got a lot of second chances and had the opportunity to go to college, and law school, and follow my dreams. My wife, our First Lady Michelle Obama, has a similar story. Neither of her parents had gone to college, and they didn’t have much. But they worked hard, and she worked hard, so that she could go to the best schools in this country.

Some of you might not have those advantages. Maybe you don’t have adults in your life who give you the support that you need. Maybe someone in your family has lost their job, and there’s not enough money to go around. Maybe you live in a neighborhood where you don’t feel safe, or have friends who are pressuring you to do things you know aren’t right.

But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life – what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you’ve got going on at home – that’s no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude. That’s no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. That’s no excuse for not trying.

Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up. No one’s written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.

That’s what young people like you are doing every day, all across America.

Young people like Jazmin Perez, from Roma, Texas. Jazmin didn’t speak English when she first started school. Hardly anyone in her hometown went to college, and neither of her parents had gone either. But she worked hard, earned good grades, got a scholarship to Brown University, and is now in graduate school, studying public health, on her way to being Dr. Jazmin Perez.

I’m thinking about Andoni Schultz, from Los Altos, California, who’s fought brain cancer since he was three. He’s endured all sorts of treatments and surgeries, one of which affected his memory, so it took him much longer – hundreds of extra hours – to do his schoolwork. But he never fell behind, and he’s headed to college this fall.

And then there’s Shantell Steve, from my hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Even when bouncing from foster home to foster home in the toughest neighborhoods, she managed to get a job at a local health center; start a program to keep young people out of gangs; and she’s on track to graduate high school with honors and go on to college.

Jazmin, Andoni and Shantell aren’t any different from any of you. They faced challenges in their lives just like you do. But they refused to give up. They chose to take responsibility for their education and set goals for themselves. And I expect all of you to do the same.

That’s why today, I’m calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education – and to do everything you can to meet them. Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or spending time each day reading a book. Maybe you’ll decide to get involved in an extracurricular activity, or volunteer in your community. Maybe you’ll decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied because of who they are or how they look, because you believe, like I do, that all kids deserve a safe environment to study and learn. Maybe you’ll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn. And along those lines, I hope you’ll all wash your hands a lot, and stay home from school when you don’t feel well, so we can keep people from getting the flu this fall and winter.

Whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it. I want you to really work at it.

I know that sometimes, you get the sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work -- that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star, when chances are, you’re not going to be any of those things.

But the truth is, being successful is hard. You won’t love every subject you study. You won’t click with every teacher. Not every homework assignment will seem completely relevant to your life right this minute. And you won’t necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try.

That’s OK. Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones who’ve had the most failures. JK Rowling’s first Harry Potter book was rejected twelve times before it was finally published. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, and he lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots during his career. But he once said, "I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

These people succeeded because they understand that you can’t let your failures define you – you have to let them teach you. You have to let them show you what to do differently next time. If you get in trouble, that doesn’t mean you’re a troublemaker, it means you need to try harder to behave. If you get a bad grade, that doesn’t mean you’re stupid, it just means you need to spend more time studying.

No one’s born being good at things, you become good at things through hard work. You’re not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport. You don’t hit every note the first time you sing a song. You’ve got to practice. It’s the same with your schoolwork. You might have to do a math problem a few times before you get it right, or read something a few times before you understand it, or do a few drafts of a paper before it’s good enough to hand in.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don’t know something, and to learn something new. So find an adult you trust – a parent, grandparent or teacher; a coach or counselor – and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals.

And even when you’re struggling, even when you’re discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you – don’t ever give up on yourself. Because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.

The story of America isn’t about people who quit when things got tough. It’s about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.

It’s the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and found this nation. Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war; who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon. Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google, Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other.

So today, I want to ask you, what’s your contribution going to be? What problems are you going to solve? What discoveries will you make? What will a president who comes here in twenty or fifty or one hundred years say about what all of you did for this country?

Your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions. I’m working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books, equipment and computers you need to learn. But you’ve got to do your part too. So I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down – don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.

President Obama's back-to-school message

On Tuesday, a White House live stream will broadcast the President's message to students on this web site. It appears that an advance copy of the message will be available on Monday.

The White House

On Tuesday, September 8 — the first day of school for many students — the President will talk directly to students across the country on the importance of taking responsibility for their education, challenging them to set goals and do everything they can to succeed.

We want to make sure that as many schools and classrooms nationwide can participate in this special opportunity, so we are making the President’s address and all the information that comes with it available as widely as possible.

Whether you are a teacher, a school board member, or a member of the media, find information to help you watch and be engaged with the President in welcoming our students back to school.

When: Tuesday, September 8th, at 11:00 AM (CST)