For Immediate Release: October 13, 2008
Dallas ISD, community leaders and businesses will launch a massive effort to help hundreds of teachers and other staff released from the school district to find new jobs.
At a news conference at the Dallas Convention center, Ballroom C, Monday, October 13, at 10:30A.M., Dallas Independent School District officials will join with leaders of the United Way, the Dallas Regional Chamber, city hall officials, and others to announce details of the community-wide effort to help teachers and other employees find new jobs in education or other careers.
Dallas Superintendent Michael Hinojosa and Chief Human Development Officer Kimberly Olson will make the announcements for Dallas ISD at the news conference.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Wrongheaded Ethics Reform Policy Doesn't Pass The Smell Test
Columnist James Ragland writes - "Dallas ISD Ethics Proposal Doesn't Go Far Enough."
"And I don't want to hear any nonsense about how further limiting Trustee business dealings with the district would shrink the pool of qualified candidates. One word comes to mind: hogwash."
Hogwash - meaningless or insincere talk, writing, etc.; nonsense; bunk.
- Worthless, false, or ridiculous speech or writing; nonsense.
"Sorry, meant to say Houston."
More - Click Here
"And I don't want to hear any nonsense about how further limiting Trustee business dealings with the district would shrink the pool of qualified candidates. One word comes to mind: hogwash."
Hogwash - meaningless or insincere talk, writing, etc.; nonsense; bunk.
- Worthless, false, or ridiculous speech or writing; nonsense.
"Sorry, meant to say Houston."
More - Click Here
WordNet - wrongheaded
adjective - obstinately perverse in judgment or opinion; "a wrongheaded policy"
Ethics reform turned on its head is wrongheaded.
For Young African American Males the Sun Is Up on Project Still I Rise
"Empowering today's youth for academic and social opportunities through mentoring and leadership development."
Project Manhood Leadership Institute targets young African American Male Students.
More Click Here
Saturday is not a school day, but don't try telling the 5th, 6th, and 7th grade boys I met this morning.
Three Saturdays a month they gather from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cedar Valley College for classes ranging from reading, writing and math to chess, self-confidence building and manhood.
These Dallas ISD students voluntarily participate in Project Still I Rise, a leadership institute to prepare young males for high school and post-secondary educational opportunties. In addition to academics, youth learn career-building and life skills, effective communication and philanthropy.
Project Still I Rise embraces the core values of collaboration, compassion, servant leadership and stewardship.
Did I mention? It's FREE!
Introduced last Spring to this program for young males, I was pleased to help open the door to this important collaboration.
Now in partnership with Dallas County Community College District and The University of Texas at Dallas, Project Still I Rise is stretching. In a few months, even more young men will benefit when this same Saturday opportunity will be offered at Eastfield College.
Kevin L. Mondy,President and Founder, along with Project teachers, tutors, counselors and advisors hosted the Open House breakfast for community and lunch for parents.
Guests included Dallas ISD staff, college and university reps, AKA sorority members, NAACP president, local business owners, UNCF staff, project advisory board and community boosters.
Following an orientation about the vision, curriculum and activities, everyone was invited to visit classes.
It is an impressive mentorship program.
It's brightly clear-- this outstanding project and young males have opportunity to rise AND shine.
"Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise."
Maya Angelou
Project Manhood Leadership Institute targets young African American Male Students.
More Click Here
Saturday is not a school day, but don't try telling the 5th, 6th, and 7th grade boys I met this morning.
Three Saturdays a month they gather from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cedar Valley College for classes ranging from reading, writing and math to chess, self-confidence building and manhood.
These Dallas ISD students voluntarily participate in Project Still I Rise, a leadership institute to prepare young males for high school and post-secondary educational opportunties. In addition to academics, youth learn career-building and life skills, effective communication and philanthropy.
Project Still I Rise embraces the core values of collaboration, compassion, servant leadership and stewardship.
Did I mention? It's FREE!
Introduced last Spring to this program for young males, I was pleased to help open the door to this important collaboration.
Now in partnership with Dallas County Community College District and The University of Texas at Dallas, Project Still I Rise is stretching. In a few months, even more young men will benefit when this same Saturday opportunity will be offered at Eastfield College.
Kevin L. Mondy,President and Founder, along with Project teachers, tutors, counselors and advisors hosted the Open House breakfast for community and lunch for parents.
Guests included Dallas ISD staff, college and university reps, AKA sorority members, NAACP president, local business owners, UNCF staff, project advisory board and community boosters.
Following an orientation about the vision, curriculum and activities, everyone was invited to visit classes.
It is an impressive mentorship program.
It's brightly clear-- this outstanding project and young males have opportunity to rise AND shine.
"Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise."
Maya Angelou
Oak Cliff Super Bowl Sees Carter Cowboys Win Over Kimball Knights
Ask District 6 high school students, parents or fans, "Where was the big football game today?" They'll tell you, "Kincaide Stadium -- The Oak Cliff Super Bowl."
This match up of the David W. Carter Cowboys vs the Justin F. Kimball Knights is a highly anticipated annual event. The game has been played for the past eight years in memory of the late Dallas ISD Coach James Jones.
Coach Jones would have been proud of the way both teams performed. Throughout the game it was obvious that all players and their coaches were charged, ready and determined.
Kimball Knights in full armour battled well. But Carter Cowboys prevailed, 39 to 16.
Along with Mrs. Alvanetta Jones, Coach Jones' widow, and his family, during a closing ceremony I was delighted to congratulate both teams for their sportsmanship and participation and to present the Super Bowl trophy to the Carter Cowboys.
This match up of the David W. Carter Cowboys vs the Justin F. Kimball Knights is a highly anticipated annual event. The game has been played for the past eight years in memory of the late Dallas ISD Coach James Jones.
Coach Jones would have been proud of the way both teams performed. Throughout the game it was obvious that all players and their coaches were charged, ready and determined.
Kimball Knights in full armour battled well. But Carter Cowboys prevailed, 39 to 16.
Along with Mrs. Alvanetta Jones, Coach Jones' widow, and his family, during a closing ceremony I was delighted to congratulate both teams for their sportsmanship and participation and to present the Super Bowl trophy to the Carter Cowboys.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Ethics Reform - Mixing Private Gain Causes Public Pain
Statement by Carla Ranger
District 6 Trustee - Dallas ISD
Presented Thursday, April 24, 2008 at Dallas ISD Board Meeting
Conflict of Interest of Board President Jack Lowe
District 6 Trustee - Dallas ISD
Presented Thursday, April 24, 2008 at Dallas ISD Board Meeting
Conflict of Interest of Board President Jack Lowe
Sometimes we must speak inconvenient truth simply because it is the right thing to do. I believe this is such a time.
There is a difference between what is legal and what is right or ethical. For example, the doctrine of “Separate But Equal” was once legal in America. However, it was never right, and finally on May 17, 1954, nine judges dressed in black robes took a moral stand and declared that “in the field of education, the doctrine of separate but equal has no place.”
This Board now has the opportunity to declare that in Dallas ISD the doctrine of mixing “private gain with public service” has no place.
On Sunday, April 20, 2008 an article appeared in the Dallas Morning News under the headline “Dallas ISD hands millions in contracts to top leaders’ firms.”
In that article the Board President is quoted as saying “to ask the company to support me while I’m doing this rather time-consuming volunteer job (at DISD), and also to walk away from a significant chunk of business, was not something I was willing to do.” Is that an accurate statement of what Trustee Lowe said? If so, I am greatly troubled.
Because some don’t like the message–they attack the messenger. Since the article was first published last Sunday, at least one Board Trustee has made several accusations against the Dallas Morning News. Yes, this is the same Dallas Morning News that has regularly been a cheerleader for Dallas ISD and has supported practically every agenda of this administration. Just yesterday, the Dallas Morning News editorial staff again endorsed the May 10th bond proposal.
This board is now faced with an ethical choice–to correct a situation that is not right or to cover it up and refuse to correct it because doing so serves a political agenda.
This is not a question of what is legal. It is a question of what is right and ethical. Ethics has always been a higher standard than politics.
Two months ago on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at our monthly Board meeting, in order to strengthen community confidence as we approach the May 10th Bond election, I requested that our Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policy (BBF A Local) be placed on the agenda for review and revision. At that meeting, the Board President agreed to do so.
I submitted the following one sentence Ethics Policy Reform for the full Board to
consider at the Board Briefing:
Proposed Addition to BBFA (Local) — Ethics - Conflicts of Interest“After April 24, 2008, the Dallas ISD (the District) may not contract with a business entity in which a Trustee or anyone related to the Trustee has any financial interest.”
Today is April 24, the day I had hoped the full Board would vote on this proposal. Make no mistake, I am well aware of the current dynamics of this Board and how decisions are sometimes made.
It is likely the majority of this Board would have voted against this proposed ethics policy. Yet, this matter must be cleaned up in order to remove this new ethical cloud now hanging over this Dallas ISD Board and its current President.
The Ethics Reform I requested did not appear on the Board Briefing agenda until April 10th — two weeks ago. Then an effort was made to refer it to a committee that I was asked to chair–but in a manner that I believe violated Board policy. After waiting two months, it was expected that this matter would be handled as most others–by the full Board at the Board Briefing.
But there was no discussion of the policy recommendation I had made–only extended discussion about delaying the matter to a subcommittee. I later declined to chair that subcommittee because of reasons I have already shared. It appeared to have been created in a manner which violates Board policy.
The reform I presented was based on the policy of the largest school district in Texas–Houston ISD. In 2004, 4 years ago, Houston established a policy that prevents elected School Board Trustees from doing business with Houston ISD while serving in office. Today I have distributed a copy of the 2004 Houston ISD ethics policy to every Board member.
Prior to the Board Briefing on April 10th, I also presented information to the Board from Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, who in 2003 stated that it is clearly unethical for Board Trustees to do business with the school districts they represent while in office–either directly or indirectly.
Click Here
Now the Dallas ISD Board must act on this matter with full integrity. The Board should adopt a tough Board policy to end the unethical situation which currently exists, or the District should not contract with any business entity in which the Board President has a financial interest–as long as the current Board President serves as Trustee of Dallas ISD.
Either one or the other. That is the ethical question before us. We must work to build trust and confidence in the community.
This is a serious and necessary matter to address.
President Lowe, I ask that you again schedule this ethics reform proposal I have submitted to be placed on the May Board Briefing action agenda and for a vote at the Board Meeting in May.
This is my request.
I await your reply.
Carla Ranger
An Early End to the '08 (Education) Campaign
"The privitization of schooling would produce a new highly active and profitable industry."
Milton Friedman, "Capitalism", 1950.
Time Magazine
"In choosing the next president, American voters have their fair share of crises to consider, be it the economy, healthcare, or national security. But will education be on many voters' minds on Nov. 4? Increasingly, the answer appears to be no.
Milton Friedman, "Capitalism", 1950.
Bill Gates (left) and Eli Broad
(l. to r.) Jason DeCrow / AP; Josh Reynolds /Time Magazine
"In choosing the next president, American voters have their fair share of crises to consider, be it the economy, healthcare, or national security. But will education be on many voters' minds on Nov. 4? Increasingly, the answer appears to be no.
The latest evidence is the decision by two of the country's largest philanthropies to stop funding Ed in '08, a nonpartisan campaign created to make improving education a top priority in the 2008 presidential race. When Ed in '08 launched 16 months ago, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Los Angeles-based Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation promised $60 million to finance the single-issue project. Now, however, $24 million into the campaign, both organizations have decided to pull the plug. "
More - Click Here
Friday, October 3, 2008
Kimball Knights Step High for Homecoming
Kimball High School was full of energy. On this Homecoming Day the Knights were hoping to see friends, alumni and a football victory.
They got their wish.
The afternoon pep rally featured the Prairie View A and M Step Team. It couldn't have been better.
PTA parents and neighbors from surrounding communities cheered the band, a line of floats and school groups marching in the annual Homecoming Parade -- a big crowd pleaser.
I was honored to serve as Grand Marshall and enjoyed this festive opportunity to interact with students, teachers, staff, parents and surrounding residents. It was a successful school-community event!
Topping off the day, the Knights won their Homecoming game-- Kimball 32, Adamson 7.
They got their wish.
The afternoon pep rally featured the Prairie View A and M Step Team. It couldn't have been better.
PTA parents and neighbors from surrounding communities cheered the band, a line of floats and school groups marching in the annual Homecoming Parade -- a big crowd pleaser.
I was honored to serve as Grand Marshall and enjoyed this festive opportunity to interact with students, teachers, staff, parents and surrounding residents. It was a successful school-community event!
Topping off the day, the Knights won their Homecoming game-- Kimball 32, Adamson 7.
Hard Day At The Horseshoe
Thursday was a hard day at the Dallas ISD Board meeting horseshoe.
The lives of many dedicated, loyal, and totally innocent employees will be changed forever by the decisions made today.
The business before the Board:
Seconded by Ron Price.
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And Here
And Here
And Here
CBS11TV: 3:55 PM: School Board Trustee Ron Price urges the board to act today on the proposed layoffs. Price says if the board fails to act today, the Texas Education Agency is almost certain to intervene and take over DISD.
Voting for a Reduction in Force: Lowe, Garza, Flores, Ellis, Medrano
Voting against a Reduction in Force: Blackburn, Ranger
Abstaining: Ron Price
Absent and not voting: Nancy Bingham
The Board discussion lasted for over three hours. Many issues were addressed. Others were not.
In the end, the vote supported a Reduction in Force. A vote, I believe, made before more good teachers could be saved.
Last week CFO Steve Korby confirmed that to delay would not cost significantly more money. In fact the $1 million per week spending would continue through December or early January, the date agreed upon by the administration to continue paying teachers who would be victims of the RIF.
The real tragedy - this day at the Board horseshoe did not have to come. This day did not have to be.
It is a day that I will remember forever.
The lives of many dedicated, loyal, and totally innocent employees will be changed forever by the decisions made today.
The business before the Board:
Consideration and Possible Approval of Resolution Directing theMotion made to adopt the resolution by Jerome Garza.
Administration to Implement a Reduction in Force for Employees
Seconded by Ron Price.
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And Here
And Here
And Here
CBS11TV: 3:55 PM: School Board Trustee Ron Price urges the board to act today on the proposed layoffs. Price says if the board fails to act today, the Texas Education Agency is almost certain to intervene and take over DISD.
Voting for a Reduction in Force: Lowe, Garza, Flores, Ellis, Medrano
Voting against a Reduction in Force: Blackburn, Ranger
Abstaining: Ron Price
Absent and not voting: Nancy Bingham
The Board discussion lasted for over three hours. Many issues were addressed. Others were not.
In the end, the vote supported a Reduction in Force. A vote, I believe, made before more good teachers could be saved.
Last week CFO Steve Korby confirmed that to delay would not cost significantly more money. In fact the $1 million per week spending would continue through December or early January, the date agreed upon by the administration to continue paying teachers who would be victims of the RIF.
The real tragedy - this day at the Board horseshoe did not have to come. This day did not have to be.
It is a day that I will remember forever.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Dallas ISD Students Speak About Their Concerns But Must 'Press On'
Angelica Perez formerly attended Spruce High School before it was dismantled on a 5-4 Board vote.
Voting for dismantling Spuce High School - Lowe, Bingham, Garza, Price, Flores
Voting against dismantling Spruce High School - Blackburn, Ellis, Medrano, Ranger
I remember Angelica well.
She fought extremely hard to save her High School. Angelica was the Student Council President and a cheerleader. She now attends Sunset High School.
In a Dallas Morning News article, Angelica Perez and other students discuss their fears relating to the current financial crisis.
You must 'Press On' Angelica in spite of these challenges. You can reach your goals.
More Click Here
Voting for dismantling Spuce High School - Lowe, Bingham, Garza, Price, Flores
Voting against dismantling Spruce High School - Blackburn, Ellis, Medrano, Ranger
I remember Angelica well.
She fought extremely hard to save her High School. Angelica was the Student Council President and a cheerleader. She now attends Sunset High School.
In a Dallas Morning News article, Angelica Perez and other students discuss their fears relating to the current financial crisis.
You must 'Press On' Angelica in spite of these challenges. You can reach your goals.
More Click Here
Friendship West Baptist Church Community Teacher Support Meeting
The Wednesday evening meeting at Friendship West Baptist Church was well attended by what was a large turnout of teachers, staff and and community stakeholders of Dallas ISD.
All were greeted by Senior Pastor Dr. Frederick Douglas Haynes, III with words of support and encouragement.
Many Dallas ISD employees were present to state their concerns. It was an evening of heartfelt expression by all to support those who are deeply affected by the current financial emergency.As a Trustee, it was a humbling reminder of the very personal consequences of the difficult decisions ahead.
Thanks to Pastor Haynes and and the great Friendship West congregation for this very successful effort to support the Dallas ISD teachers and stakeholders.
All were greeted by Senior Pastor Dr. Frederick Douglas Haynes, III with words of support and encouragement.
Many Dallas ISD employees were present to state their concerns. It was an evening of heartfelt expression by all to support those who are deeply affected by the current financial emergency.As a Trustee, it was a humbling reminder of the very personal consequences of the difficult decisions ahead.
Thanks to Pastor Haynes and and the great Friendship West congregation for this very successful effort to support the Dallas ISD teachers and stakeholders.
Adelle Turner Elementary Student Council Prepares Students To Lead
Students at Adelle Turner Elementary School are being prepared to lead. Twenty-four of them told an auditorium of classmates just how ready they are as each candidate for Student Council office stepped up to the lectern Wednesday morning. Teachers and parents watched, beaming with pride -- together.
On yesterday I was honored to give the Charge to the Candidates, who eagerly accepted and proclaimed, "I am a great leader in my school. I will always follow the Golden Rule."
They are public servants in training. These young leaders showed respect and listened attentively to each other. It was a great exercise in democracy for our students.
Hats off to our students and the team of teachers working with the Student Council.
On yesterday I was honored to give the Charge to the Candidates, who eagerly accepted and proclaimed, "I am a great leader in my school. I will always follow the Golden Rule."
They are public servants in training. These young leaders showed respect and listened attentively to each other. It was a great exercise in democracy for our students.
Hats off to our students and the team of teachers working with the Student Council.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Saving Dollars Or Saving Schools?
The Board has had this latest disaster for three weeks. Three whole weeks to gather information and consider how to adopt a sound solution based on fairness and Dallas ISD policy DFF (Local).
Some information has been requested which has not been received. Addional information is still being sought.
Can dollars be saved without destroying schools?
That is the $64 Million, $84 Million, $148 Million dollar question. Which is it? As usual, nobody seems to really know.
The decisions are not simple or easy - they are difficult.
Real people with real responsibilities will be greatly damaged by decisions that must now be made.
These decisions must be fair and even, not arbitrary and petty. There must be a standard to be followed by all - not just a quick fix that attempts to merely hide the financial mismanagement.
The problem will still be there.
No, there are no easy answers, but there are answers that can be implemented in a way that creates a more just result for all employees.
Simply rubberstamping decisions is a recipe for further disaster.
That is exactly how we got here. The wrong decisions were made as a result of not asking the right questions at the right time.
Some information has been requested which has not been received. Addional information is still being sought.
Can dollars be saved without destroying schools?
That is the $64 Million, $84 Million, $148 Million dollar question. Which is it? As usual, nobody seems to really know.
The decisions are not simple or easy - they are difficult.
Real people with real responsibilities will be greatly damaged by decisions that must now be made.
These decisions must be fair and even, not arbitrary and petty. There must be a standard to be followed by all - not just a quick fix that attempts to merely hide the financial mismanagement.
The problem will still be there.
No, there are no easy answers, but there are answers that can be implemented in a way that creates a more just result for all employees.
Simply rubberstamping decisions is a recipe for further disaster.
That is exactly how we got here. The wrong decisions were made as a result of not asking the right questions at the right time.
National Community College Hispanic Council
On Monday September 28, 2008, I was pleased to make a presentation at the 13th Annual National Community College Hispanic Council Leadership Symposium in Fort Worth, Texas.
The theme of the Leadership Symposium session in which I participated was "Stepping Out to Step It Up: Running for Elected Office to Improve Education Attainment in Our Communities."
It was a pleasure to join Dr. Cindy Casteneda of Richland College, Trustee - Garland ISD and Trustee Diana Flores, Dallas County Community College District, in this discussion of the role individuals can play beyond K-16 partnerships to improve educational outcomes and access in our communities.
The theme of the Leadership Symposium session in which I participated was "Stepping Out to Step It Up: Running for Elected Office to Improve Education Attainment in Our Communities."
It was a pleasure to join Dr. Cindy Casteneda of Richland College, Trustee - Garland ISD and Trustee Diana Flores, Dallas County Community College District, in this discussion of the role individuals can play beyond K-16 partnerships to improve educational outcomes and access in our communities.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Early College High School - Commitment to College Ceremony Today
Press On!
As crisis looms, students offer hope - James Ragland
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Dallas Independent School District’s new Early College High School with Cedar Valley College, located in the Nolan Estes Plaza, 3434 South R. L. Thornton Freeway, will host a Commitment to College Ceremony at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30.
During the ceremony, more than 100 students who currently attend the Early College High School with Cedar Valley will pledge to complete their high school diploma and college degree within six years.
The Early College High School program not only prepares students for college but immerses them in college-level classes and college culture. Graduates of the ECHS with Cedar Valley will leave high school with a diploma and either an associates degree or transfer hours toward the four-year university of their choosing.
"Early College provides a rigorous instructional program with high expectations and strong support that allows high school students to begin taking dual credit courses in the ninth grade," said Principal Gayle Smith. "This ultimately compresses the time and decreases the amount of money it takes to complete a college degree."
Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa will address the students and their parents. Other officials participating in the program are Dallas ISD Board Trustee Carla Ranger, District 6; State Senator Royce West; Texas Commissioner of Education Robert Scott, and representatives from the Texas High School Project.
As crisis looms, students offer hope - James Ragland
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Dallas Independent School District’s new Early College High School with Cedar Valley College, located in the Nolan Estes Plaza, 3434 South R. L. Thornton Freeway, will host a Commitment to College Ceremony at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30.
During the ceremony, more than 100 students who currently attend the Early College High School with Cedar Valley will pledge to complete their high school diploma and college degree within six years.
The Early College High School program not only prepares students for college but immerses them in college-level classes and college culture. Graduates of the ECHS with Cedar Valley will leave high school with a diploma and either an associates degree or transfer hours toward the four-year university of their choosing.
"Early College provides a rigorous instructional program with high expectations and strong support that allows high school students to begin taking dual credit courses in the ninth grade," said Principal Gayle Smith. "This ultimately compresses the time and decreases the amount of money it takes to complete a college degree."
Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa will address the students and their parents. Other officials participating in the program are Dallas ISD Board Trustee Carla Ranger, District 6; State Senator Royce West; Texas Commissioner of Education Robert Scott, and representatives from the Texas High School Project.
Monday, September 29, 2008
What Does It Profit A Board To Deny A Student?
Aileen Mukuria is a 12th grade Dallas ISD Skyline student.
She hoped to address the Board on last Thursday (September 25th) but had not signed up.
At the end of speakers on Non-Agenda items, Aileen attempted to make a request to speak on behalf of another speaker who had signed up. She was correctly informed by the Board President that she could not speak in place of another speaker. However, I would add - "unless the Board consents."
While she was standing in front of the aisle microphone, two security officers quickly interrupted, turned the microphone in the opposite direction and escorted Aileen away from the aisle.
While serving on the Board, I don't recall seeing security officers move between any speaker and the microphone, as if a young female student attempting to speak is a security issue.
Maybe this was planned security, but I found it unnecessary and a bit disturbing.
Students very seldomly speak at Dallas ISD Board meetings. No other student had spoken that evening. Aileen would have been the last speaker.
I decided to offer my speaking time normally given for my District 6 Board report to our Skyline student because I wanted her to feel welcome and to provide the opportunity to hear her.
When I did so, Trustee Jerome Garza immediately objected. The District General Counsel stated I would have to make a motion in order to yield my time. However, I do recall when a Board member had yielded time in the past, it was recognized without a motion.
I made the motion to allow the student to speak, but the Board vote was tied and not successful.
The vote was as follows:
The Vote For Our Student - Blackburn, Medrano, Ranger
The Vote Against Our Student - Lowe, Garza, Flores
Abstaining - Ellis
Absent and Not Voting - Price and Bingham
The student left the Board auditorium in tears.
My question: What does it profit a Board to refuse a student the opportunity to speak when there was clearly no good reason not to hear her remarks?
My apology to our young student Aileen Mukuria who simply wanted to share her opinion with the Board.
She hoped to address the Board on last Thursday (September 25th) but had not signed up.
At the end of speakers on Non-Agenda items, Aileen attempted to make a request to speak on behalf of another speaker who had signed up. She was correctly informed by the Board President that she could not speak in place of another speaker. However, I would add - "unless the Board consents."
While she was standing in front of the aisle microphone, two security officers quickly interrupted, turned the microphone in the opposite direction and escorted Aileen away from the aisle.
While serving on the Board, I don't recall seeing security officers move between any speaker and the microphone, as if a young female student attempting to speak is a security issue.
Maybe this was planned security, but I found it unnecessary and a bit disturbing.
Students very seldomly speak at Dallas ISD Board meetings. No other student had spoken that evening. Aileen would have been the last speaker.
I decided to offer my speaking time normally given for my District 6 Board report to our Skyline student because I wanted her to feel welcome and to provide the opportunity to hear her.
When I did so, Trustee Jerome Garza immediately objected. The District General Counsel stated I would have to make a motion in order to yield my time. However, I do recall when a Board member had yielded time in the past, it was recognized without a motion.
I made the motion to allow the student to speak, but the Board vote was tied and not successful.
The vote was as follows:
The Vote For Our Student - Blackburn, Medrano, Ranger
The Vote Against Our Student - Lowe, Garza, Flores
Abstaining - Ellis
Absent and Not Voting - Price and Bingham
The student left the Board auditorium in tears.
My question: What does it profit a Board to refuse a student the opportunity to speak when there was clearly no good reason not to hear her remarks?
My apology to our young student Aileen Mukuria who simply wanted to share her opinion with the Board.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sunday Prayer At Friendship West Baptist Church
Sunday morning I was blessed to join the great Pastor Dr. Frederick Douglas Haynes, III and the members of Friendship West Baptist Church for early morning prayer.
Pastor Haynes recognized Dallas ISD teachers and staff and asked the congregation to remember them during these difficult days. A special prayer was given on behalf of Dallas ISD.
It was an uplifting morning after a week of difficulty.
My thanks to Mrs. Edna Pemberton for all she did to coordinate and make the fellowship a success.
Pastor Haynes recognized Dallas ISD teachers and staff and asked the congregation to remember them during these difficult days. A special prayer was given on behalf of Dallas ISD.
It was an uplifting morning after a week of difficulty.
My thanks to Mrs. Edna Pemberton for all she did to coordinate and make the fellowship a success.
Whose Child Is This?
"Whose child is this?"
I asked one day
Seeing a little one out at play
"Mine", said the parent with a tender smile"
Mine to keep a little while
To bathe his hands and comb his hair
To tell him what he is to wear
To prepare him that he may always be good
And each day do the things he should"
"Whose child is this?" I asked again
As the door opened and someone came in
"Mine", said the teacher with the same tender smile"
Mine, to keep just for a little while
To teach him how to be gentle and kind
To train and direct his dear little mind
To help him live by every rule
And get the best he can from school"
"Whose child is this?" I ask once more
Just as the little one entered the door
"Ours" said the parent and the teacher as they smiled
And each took the hand of the little child"
Ours to love and train together
Ours this blessed task forever."
--Author Unknown
I asked one day
Seeing a little one out at play
"Mine", said the parent with a tender smile"
Mine to keep a little while
To bathe his hands and comb his hair
To tell him what he is to wear
To prepare him that he may always be good
And each day do the things he should"
"Whose child is this?" I asked again
As the door opened and someone came in
"Mine", said the teacher with the same tender smile"
Mine, to keep just for a little while
To teach him how to be gentle and kind
To train and direct his dear little mind
To help him live by every rule
And get the best he can from school"
"Whose child is this?" I ask once more
Just as the little one entered the door
"Ours" said the parent and the teacher as they smiled
And each took the hand of the little child"
Ours to love and train together
Ours this blessed task forever."
--Author Unknown
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Enough Is Enough: Superintendent Must Be Held Accountable For Mismanagement
When is enough enough?
Sweep it under the rug. Spin it as a blip on the road. Minimize the pain and suffering caused to others.
The voters will be able to hold Trustees Accountable in future elections.Who will now hold the Superintendent accountable?
The Dallas ISD Superintendent is the highest paid public school official in the State of Texas and one of the top paid Superintendents in America. Dallas ISD pays well.Yet, Trustees have failed the District by not demanding accountability. Trustees have not fullfilled our responsibility to provide effective oversight
Those who have tried have simply been ignored by the President and Board majority. The District is not the personal fiefdom of the Board President. It is supposed to be overseen by nine equally elected Trustees.
Reform is a powerful word that can be used for positive good, but it is also a word that can hide very selfish anti-democratic agendas.
The Board has sought at every turn to remove its own oversight and has been simply a rubberstamp for the administration over and over again. This has been the philosophy of the Board majority, and it has created this tragic result.
The Board is also being trained to be a rubberstamp Board, to create distance from the public and to essentially carry out an anti-public education agenda.Like Wall Street, Ross Avenue needs a Board that will ask questions and even say, "No" - not a Board that believes education is a dictatorship of the elite - and not a Board that seeks to remove the public from an equal place at the education table.
It is time and our duty as elected Trustees to hold the Superintendent to the same high standard demanded of all other staff.
Mismanagement is a generous way to put it.
Trustees are elected to make hard decisions in the public interest.
What principal would remain in a campus position after a similar track record of financial mismanagement?It is time for the Board to hold the Superintendent to the same standard of accountability. However, the personal political agendas of certain Trustees will probably win out.
But the truth is - it all begins at the top. And no one is indispensable - whether on the Board or the staff.The Board should remove Superintendent Hinojosa and move forward with remedying the financial chaos that has been created on his watch.
Failure to do so is a refusal to meet our responsibility as Trustees to protect Dallas ISD from further financial mismanagement.Our responsility as Trustees is not to protect a person but to preserve the Dallas ISD educational system for taxpayers, stakeholders and students of the generations to come.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
$64 Million Dollar Deficit
On Thursday, April 12, 2007 at its regularly scheduled 11:30 A.M. monthly Board Briefing, Dallas ISD Trustees received the Phase Two Implementation Report of the Dallas Achieves Commission outlining over 100 recommendations to be adopted.
Two weeks later on April 26, 2007 at 5:30 P.M., the Board of Trustees met at Samuell High School for the purpose of considering the over 100 Dallas Achieves Commission recommendations that had been just received by the Board.
Again, only two weeks had passed between receiving the 100 Recommendations and being asked to approve (rubber-stamp) their adoption.
Yet, there was a rush to adopt the recommendations immediately and Trustees were expected to approve the Report without serious discussion. Disapproval was not an option. The rush was on.
One Year and five months later, Dallas ISD is faced with another very serious financial crisis.
At the Samuell meeting on April 26, 2007, I asked the Board to take time to actually study and discuss the recommendations before rushing to adopt them. The Board paid no regard to its responsibility to deliberate and take time to get it right. The Board rushed to adopt the recommendations without careful evaluation of the cost and financial consequences to the district.
Seven Trustees were present at the Board Meeting at Samuell High School. Those present were Jack Lowe, Nancy Bingham, Jerome Garza, Leigh Ann Ellis, Edwin Flores, Adam Medrano, and Carla Ranger. Two Trustees were absent - Ron Price and Lew Blackburn. The vote was 6-0. Carla Ranger abstained.
The following are my actual remarks at Samuell High School on the Dallas Achieves recommendations:
Begin Quote
"This is a very important issue. It is worthy of our best and most conscientious consideration. It seems to me that our responsibility is to carefully review the full implications of such an important report.
"We first discussed the report two weeks ago. The report is a result of many months of effort by many people who could not have possibly done it in a two week period of time.
"Therefore, I am challenged by our approving it - this very intensive initiative - in a two week period of time.
"It seems to me that responsibility as elected Trustees is a broader and higher responsibility.
"We are responsible to the general public at large and the people of our district who elected us.
"I believe it would be beneficial for us Trustees to discuss the report among ourselves with our Superintendent and staff.
"In addition, it seems it would be beneficial also to provide the general public the opportunity to give input to the Board of Trustees.
"We did not share the results of the report with the community before we are adopting them.
"The public at large has no opportunity to even hear the results of this report even if done solely within our own districts and based on our own individual efforts as Trustees.
"In other words, it may not be appropriate, or responsible for us to rush to approve something as important as this initiative with as much work as the Commission has given to it without a process that includes a little more time for us to deliberate.
"Therefore, I do not believe it appropriate to approve the report tonight after only a two week period.
"I would suggest that the Board be responsible to the public that elected us and give further consideration to this important document and make our decisions at a later date after visiting with our own internal administration and staff.
"That is my suggestion. If I need to put that in the form of an amendment, I will do so.
Jack Lowe - Board President - "think you have to put that in the form of an amendment."
Carla Ranger - "I would like to amend the Motion or ask that we amend the Motion to delay acting on this report until the June meeting and place the report for discussion on the Agenda for the May briefing in order for us to discuss it with the Superintendent and the administation.
Jack Lowe - Board President - "Do we have a second?
Lowe - "Motion fails for lack of a second.
Lowe - "Further discussion?"
End Quote
I believe the Trustees of Dallas ISD acted irresponsibly in adopting the Dallas Achieves recommendations withour careful discussion and accountability for potential financial impact.
The Board rushed through approval. The Superintendent rushed through implementation beginning with an immediate delayering and major reorganization.
Both the Board and Superintendent acted irresponsibly. The District now pays a heavy price. Pain will be inflicted again on employees to cover the irresponsible actions of Trustees and the Superintendent.
The Trustees should end the rubber stamp era and act like responsible Trustees.
It is time for a change.
Two weeks later on April 26, 2007 at 5:30 P.M., the Board of Trustees met at Samuell High School for the purpose of considering the over 100 Dallas Achieves Commission recommendations that had been just received by the Board.
Again, only two weeks had passed between receiving the 100 Recommendations and being asked to approve (rubber-stamp) their adoption.
Yet, there was a rush to adopt the recommendations immediately and Trustees were expected to approve the Report without serious discussion. Disapproval was not an option. The rush was on.
One Year and five months later, Dallas ISD is faced with another very serious financial crisis.
At the Samuell meeting on April 26, 2007, I asked the Board to take time to actually study and discuss the recommendations before rushing to adopt them. The Board paid no regard to its responsibility to deliberate and take time to get it right. The Board rushed to adopt the recommendations without careful evaluation of the cost and financial consequences to the district.
Seven Trustees were present at the Board Meeting at Samuell High School. Those present were Jack Lowe, Nancy Bingham, Jerome Garza, Leigh Ann Ellis, Edwin Flores, Adam Medrano, and Carla Ranger. Two Trustees were absent - Ron Price and Lew Blackburn. The vote was 6-0. Carla Ranger abstained.
The following are my actual remarks at Samuell High School on the Dallas Achieves recommendations:
Begin Quote
"This is a very important issue. It is worthy of our best and most conscientious consideration. It seems to me that our responsibility is to carefully review the full implications of such an important report.
"We first discussed the report two weeks ago. The report is a result of many months of effort by many people who could not have possibly done it in a two week period of time.
"Therefore, I am challenged by our approving it - this very intensive initiative - in a two week period of time.
"It seems to me that responsibility as elected Trustees is a broader and higher responsibility.
"We are responsible to the general public at large and the people of our district who elected us.
"I believe it would be beneficial for us Trustees to discuss the report among ourselves with our Superintendent and staff.
"In addition, it seems it would be beneficial also to provide the general public the opportunity to give input to the Board of Trustees.
"We did not share the results of the report with the community before we are adopting them.
"The public at large has no opportunity to even hear the results of this report even if done solely within our own districts and based on our own individual efforts as Trustees.
"In other words, it may not be appropriate, or responsible for us to rush to approve something as important as this initiative with as much work as the Commission has given to it without a process that includes a little more time for us to deliberate.
"Therefore, I do not believe it appropriate to approve the report tonight after only a two week period.
"I would suggest that the Board be responsible to the public that elected us and give further consideration to this important document and make our decisions at a later date after visiting with our own internal administration and staff.
"That is my suggestion. If I need to put that in the form of an amendment, I will do so.
Jack Lowe - Board President - "think you have to put that in the form of an amendment."
Carla Ranger - "I would like to amend the Motion or ask that we amend the Motion to delay acting on this report until the June meeting and place the report for discussion on the Agenda for the May briefing in order for us to discuss it with the Superintendent and the administation.
Jack Lowe - Board President - "Do we have a second?
Lowe - "Motion fails for lack of a second.
Lowe - "Further discussion?"
End Quote
I believe the Trustees of Dallas ISD acted irresponsibly in adopting the Dallas Achieves recommendations withour careful discussion and accountability for potential financial impact.
The Board rushed through approval. The Superintendent rushed through implementation beginning with an immediate delayering and major reorganization.
Both the Board and Superintendent acted irresponsibly. The District now pays a heavy price. Pain will be inflicted again on employees to cover the irresponsible actions of Trustees and the Superintendent.
The Trustees should end the rubber stamp era and act like responsible Trustees.
It is time for a change.
Dallas ISD Proposed Ethics Policy Is Unethical
I first requested that the Dallas ISD ethics policy be addressed in February, 2008. My proposed Ethics Reform was intentionally simple, clear and direct.
Always, it has been very clear that the Dallas ISD Board would refuse to stop the unethical and corrupt practice of allowing business entities in which Trustees have an ownership interest to receive contracts while serving as an elected Trustee.
This issue is quite clear to any right thinking citizen or Trustee.
Many games have been played since that time and great energy wasted to undermine the one clear ethical issue facing the Board. The Board President sits as Board Chair and former CEO of a business entity - TD Industries - that has received close to 10 Million dollars in contracts in recent years. Is this unethical and should this be stopped?
Of course, it is unethical and it should be stopped.
But this Board will not do so.
Instead of addressing this most important ethical issue, what has been done is the Board President appointed two of his closest political allies, Edwin Flores and Nancy Bingham - to a three person Committee - thereby guaranteeing there would never be any possibility the Committee would recommend the end of his contracts. Trustee Flores has distorted the policy in ways designed to greatly confuse the ethical issue.
The ethics policy has been turned into a political fishing expedition that creates foolish illusions that non-profit and profit making entities are the same. That is simply false but serves the political agenda to confuse the ethical issue.
The city of Houston prohibited most contracts with Trustees in 2004. The 1-page Houston Ethics policy - unlike the confusing two and one half page Dallas policy - specifically exempts not for profit institutions. But certain Dallas Trustees have a political agenda to attack non-profits. The Houston policy states:
"Business entity" shall not include non-profit corporations or religious, educational, and governmental institutions."
When I was asked to Chair the same Committee by the Policy Chair, I realized the issue would be sidetracked for months exactly as happened. I also realized that the Policy Chair did not have Board authority to appoint committees. So I decided not to participate in a sideshow that was designed to do nothing but waste time and undermine the ethics reform I had proposed.
I certainly knew that I could not and would not support a policy that did not stop this unethical practice.
On Thursday, September 25, the Board will vote to continue this shameless 'good ol' boy' unethical arrangement.
My position is simple. I will not vote for a sham policy that allows any Trustee to so clearly violate the public trust for financial gain.
Any Board that supports this kind of unethical arrangement is compromising principle on the altar of politics.
The public clearly deserves a higher standard in ethics reform and a Board with the integrity to prevent Trustee contracts with the District they serve.
Selfish politics wins - ethics loses.
Always, it has been very clear that the Dallas ISD Board would refuse to stop the unethical and corrupt practice of allowing business entities in which Trustees have an ownership interest to receive contracts while serving as an elected Trustee.
This issue is quite clear to any right thinking citizen or Trustee.
Many games have been played since that time and great energy wasted to undermine the one clear ethical issue facing the Board. The Board President sits as Board Chair and former CEO of a business entity - TD Industries - that has received close to 10 Million dollars in contracts in recent years. Is this unethical and should this be stopped?
Of course, it is unethical and it should be stopped.
But this Board will not do so.
Instead of addressing this most important ethical issue, what has been done is the Board President appointed two of his closest political allies, Edwin Flores and Nancy Bingham - to a three person Committee - thereby guaranteeing there would never be any possibility the Committee would recommend the end of his contracts. Trustee Flores has distorted the policy in ways designed to greatly confuse the ethical issue.
The ethics policy has been turned into a political fishing expedition that creates foolish illusions that non-profit and profit making entities are the same. That is simply false but serves the political agenda to confuse the ethical issue.
The city of Houston prohibited most contracts with Trustees in 2004. The 1-page Houston Ethics policy - unlike the confusing two and one half page Dallas policy - specifically exempts not for profit institutions. But certain Dallas Trustees have a political agenda to attack non-profits. The Houston policy states:
"Business entity" shall not include non-profit corporations or religious, educational, and governmental institutions."
When I was asked to Chair the same Committee by the Policy Chair, I realized the issue would be sidetracked for months exactly as happened. I also realized that the Policy Chair did not have Board authority to appoint committees. So I decided not to participate in a sideshow that was designed to do nothing but waste time and undermine the ethics reform I had proposed.
I certainly knew that I could not and would not support a policy that did not stop this unethical practice.
On Thursday, September 25, the Board will vote to continue this shameless 'good ol' boy' unethical arrangement.
My position is simple. I will not vote for a sham policy that allows any Trustee to so clearly violate the public trust for financial gain.
Any Board that supports this kind of unethical arrangement is compromising principle on the altar of politics.
The public clearly deserves a higher standard in ethics reform and a Board with the integrity to prevent Trustee contracts with the District they serve.
Selfish politics wins - ethics loses.
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