Dallas ISD General Counsel OKs adoption of four year Trustee terms

The General Counsel of Dallas ISD has now given the okay to what appears to be a violation of the Texas Education Code - Section 11.059(e) deadline of December 31, 2007 for changing the terms of Trustees from three to four years.

Last week Elizabeth Hanshaw Winn -- the Director of Legal - Secretary of State Elections Division in Austin -- confirmed that the December 31, 2007 deadline of the Texas Education Code does apply to all Texas Independent School Districts, with no exception for Dallas.

All items for the Thursday, November 20, 2008 Board meeting are currently listed on the Consent Agenda. When the Agenda was posted, no items had been pulled for a separate vote.

I have asked for this item to be pulled for a separate vote, as it has obvious merit and high public interest.

Trustees previously voted 8-1 to establish a policy requiring two Trustees to pull an item. This policy was initiated recently by Trustees Ron Price and Leigh Ann Ellis and rushed through at a special called meeting.

This might make it necessary for me to vote against the Consent Agenda on Thursday.

A copy of the email confirmation from the Secretary of State Legal Section is posted below.

Elizabeth Hanshaw Winn - Director of Legal - Elections Division Secretary of State
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-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	RE: Email Confirmation - Senate Bill 670 - December 31, 2007 Deadline-Ranger (EHW)
Date:	Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:50:56 -0600
From:	Elizabeth Hanshaw Winn
To:	Carla Ranger
References:	<491b42b2.3000500@tx.rr.com>

Yes, the below information confirms the content of our telephone conversation.

---

From: Carla Ranger
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 2:55 PM
To: Elizabeth Hanshaw Winn
Subject: Email Confirmation - Senate Bill 670 - December 31, 2007 Deadline

To: Elizabeth Hanshaw Winn Elections Division - Texas Secretary of State

Subject: Texas Education Code 11.059(e).- Senate Bill 670

Thanks very much for the information provided this morning.

As indicated, my question relates to the application of Senate Bill 670
to the Dallas ISD.

Would appreciate email confirmation that the December 31, 2007
deadline for independent school districts to make changes
from three year to four year terms does apply to Dallas ISD
and there is no special exemption for Dallas or any other Texas ISD.

Dallas ISD is currently attempting to adopt a change of Trustee terms
from three to four years on Thursday, November 20, 2008.

I am attempting to confirm that the deadline for such a change of Trustee terms
of office has already passed for Dallas ISD on December 31, 2007.

Would appreciate your email confirmation of our telephone conversation.

Thank you for your assistance.

Carla Ranger