LIVE BLOG: DISD Board Meeting
Submitted by Allen Gwinn on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 16:41.
It's Thursday, August 23, and it's board meeting Thursday.
First, the Board Room has been completely renovated. It looks like a Star Trek set. Very cool. Check out the new digs:
5:40 PM - Trustee Ron Price blurts out "I wish the Dallas Ly(ing)... Morning News were here to report on something positive in the District" as he handed out awards to various kids. What would have been impressive is if Ron had said it in Spanish!
5:49 PM - Speakers to agenda items. There was one. Topic: "Substitute Teacher Pay"
5:52 PM - Now we're into the agenda items themselves.
6:09 PM - Uh oh, the cat is out of the bag. Trustee Lew Blackburn brought it up: the staff reorganization. Attorney Jack Elrod is trying to shut him up.
"This is a matter of pretty high public interest," said Elrod.
Elrod is concerned that before this matter is discussed it really needed to be posted. Blackburn noted the objection.
"May I continue without further disruption," replied Blackburn.
Blackburn went on to outline his concerns about who is getting fired, and who is getting hired and asked Superintendent Michael Hinojosa to communicate with the Board during the process.
"There are employees in this district who are afraid to speak out for fear of retaliation," said Blackburn, "they sit in the audience silent for fear of losing their jobs."
6:18 PM - Trustee Carla Ranger echoes the sentiment after much verbosity. Price muttered something about being concerned, but admonished the rest of the Board to hold it until the Board retreat--tomorrow.
Quote of the moment: Ron Price on how people are getting his cell phone number, "they've been passing it around like free cheese."
[...]
6:43 PM - Time for speakers to non-agenda items. The first one: "wake up DISD." A woman is admonishing the Board and administrators to "educate our children." "Do you want the Warriors to be picketing the District," she warned, "...'No Justice No Peace'."
The (former) head of the Dallas Council on PTA's (who just had their charter revoked) got up to air concerns. She pledged to keep training parents regardless of what happened to them. Then it was on to asking for information some of which she claims is being withheld.
Another speaker from the "American Indian Community" in Dallas voiced concern over jobs being eliminated, to wit: the American Indian Education Program and its director James Eaglebull.
7:00 PM - It's a wrap!
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Board Meetings in Portable?
Until there are no more portables in DISD, I'd like to suggest that all board meeting take place in a portable. The portable should be selected at random from the ones in use all over the district.
[Ed Note: Excellent suggestion! You know, sometimes it's the little things we miss, at Dallas.Org, that our readers catch!]
Move Hinojosa?
Excellent idea and at the same time why not move the superintendent's office into a portable and maybe then he will leave.
I have seen the enemy of good business management and it is the superintendent, some of the school board members and the Dallas Mismanaged News.
[Ed Note: Keep in mind that, perhaps, one of the reasons that all of us are frustrated with Hinojosa from time-to-time is that he's making decisions that his predecessors did not.
DISD has been neglected for so long, it is going to take a while to put it back on track.
I feel your frustration. But it doesn't mean he's a bad guy.]
Waivers, Free Waivers Here
Free waivers given out to any DISD exec who doesn't feel like moving into Dallas. Don't want to put your children in DISD or pay for private school? Free waivers available for everyone. Hinojosa needs you on his dream team, and you don't want your family in the big, bad big D? Free waivers for everyone. Pull plenty of that property tax money out of Dallas with your big, bloated salary. Free waivers. Only available as long as the unending supply lasts.
[Ed Note: You'll have to be specific on the free waivers. Who did he give a waiver to?]
Kimberly Olson
Dr. Hinojosa gave a waiver to Kim Olsen at the start of her tenure.
It is my understanding that the rules say a district employee has 6 months to move into the district to meet the residency requirements.
At the end of that time frame, the employee may request an extension of 6 months from the Superintendent.
It is also my understanding from the June Board Meeting at Conrad HS that Dr. Hinojosa has already granted Ms. Olsen the extension as a part of her agreeing to come to Dallas.
Oh, and I forgot to say that Ms. Olsen was just voted on to the School board in Weatherford in May.
I am assuming that Dr. Hinojosa thought that DISD could afford to invest $177,486 for one year because of her experience with the "ROAD TO BROAD" managment program.
There is no guarantee that Ms. Olsen will be here after next year.
She would basically have to choose between WeatherfordISD and DISD.
Which do you think she will choose? Oh, and on a side note, she left a military career under questionable circumstances and is currently promoting her new book about Iraq!
Sorry for the rambling....Passionate about DISD!!!!!!!!
[Ed Note: You're not rambling at all and you raise important issues. First, it is my understanding is that Ms. Olson already has a residence in Dallas, so she would be in compliance with local policy.
Second, there's always a risk that we'll lose any executive to another district or even private enterprise (and there's a risk 'they' will lose one to us). To speculate on her motives for sticking around or leaving is a little premature, don't you think?
Last, I can tell you a little bit about military justice (UCMJ). If you are a line officer, especially a senior officer, and the military thinks they "have something" on you, they generally don't cut a deal that allows you to resign honorably. Colonel Olson was allowed to resign honorably with nothing more than a reprimand (warning). She received no cut in rank or in pay.
Those are the facts.
Now, to the subjective: Ms. Olson seems to have been well received by board members and senior staff, down to trench level employees who have had interactions with her. She strikes me as passionate about DISD and the kids, and believes she can make a big difference.
Whether or not she'll be successful in her endeavors is also a matter for debate.
We'll obviously be watching the situation unfold as, I assume, will you!
Kim Olson
To see if Ms. Olson is worth this salary, just ask someone who works under her tyranny.
Also, ask all the people in the district who are trying to get this debacle of problems with salary taken care of!
It's a nightmare that Ms. Olson doesn't care to deal with as she has been known to desire to "personally escort any teacher who complains about their pay from the office".
Sorry Kim, your "I'm here to help you" speech you gave this summer during training has fallen on deaf ears.
After all, your actions speak louder than words.
[Ed Note: Actually, I have spoken to many people who work under her "tyranny" and that's not how they classify her. Most everyone I've talked too--from teachers to administrators, has nothing but praise for her. Perhaps you can cite a specific example instead of generalizing?]
More Kim Olson
You are entitled to your opinion, however, anyone who will not allow their employees to have something as simple as family pictures on their desks sound like a micro-manager to me.
Also, I personally had some issues regarding my pay which she did not address even after multiple attempts to contact her.
The Human Development department as a whole needs revamping with a mission of servant leadership that will remind them we are all just employees of the District and treating their fellow employees fairly should be their focus.
If she is as wonderful as you describe, then perhaps she can change this "don't call us, we'll call you" attitude to one of "how can I help you?"
[Ed Note: Once again, this is not my opinion. I'm reporting what others have said.
We confirmed with Kim Olson that she has no such policy banning family pictures on people's desktops. Her words when we told her that someone had alleged this: "you've got be kidding!"
With respect to pay, I'm certain that others (even in places other than DISD) have problems with their pay. I'm certain you're aware that there are 2 sides to every story. I would be much more interested in what kind of pay problems you were having, what you wanted Olson's department to do about it, and what they did.
Those, you see, would be facts. Then we would have something of substance to debate instead of claims of "don't call us, we'll call you" and the like!
Sorry to be pointed on this, but I really like to get to the facts when there's a debate. If you'll help me do that, perhaps we can figure out who is wrong and who is right (or the balance).]
Disagree on UCMJ
Allen, I hate to disagree with you, but the military routinely gets rid of unwanted field grade (major or above) officers with honorable discharges. That is SOP, so to speak. If they don't, they would have to prove something, say conduct unbecoming, etc... It is easier to just let them leave. If they have 20 years in, they get to keep their pension/retirement pay and all that entails.
Everybody wins.
I believe she deserves a chance, but if she is going to work for the DISD, then she needs to WORK for the DISD, that's all, that's it, nothing else. Sorry, teachers are expected to do it. Principals are expected to do it. If she wants to "lead from the front," then she needs to be all DISD or nothing at all.
Yes, she has a nice start. She inherited a very, very broken personnel system. But what was the first change? Better hours so teachers can actually MEET with people when they have problems? Nope. Was it a series of meetings on campuses to solve pay and other issues? Nope.
It was to rename the department.
"Human Development."
Yep, they are growing eggs over there at Ross Avenue? Give me a break. Changing the name, so what? They still don't work past 4:30 or let you talk to a live person.
[Ed Note: "Growing eggs!" Love it! We'll be watching what she does. Please keep us informed as to what you and your colleagues observe.]
Human Development Hours-Corrected
Sorry your facts are incorrect.
The hours for the Human Development department are from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
During that time at least one person from each department is there to help you.
There are also at least two receptionists and two customer service representatives that can answer most questions.
There hours have been in place since July.
Ms. Olson, Copy This?
Thanks for correcting me. I am glad to see the hours have changed. Many are not aware of it, and when we had problems with our new hires in August, we were told to have them FAX, NOT GO to Ross Avenue to resolve issues.
Since DISD has what, 19,000 employees, having many rush the desk would be bad. But honestly, it isn't well-known about the hours change.
[Ed Note: Perhaps someone will do a better job getting the word out?]
Google Olson
Google Olson and what will pop up is an eye full of charges of running a business on the side while she was in the service. Gosh, seems like history always repeats itself.
While we all know personnel has been as dysfunctional as possible for 30 years with all the inside deals, nepotism, especially with Robby Collins running a hit squad to eliminate any teacher who let the public know about dirty activity funds or any other corruption, but the Colonel's background has nothing to do with understanding how to operate effectively with teachers.
Hinojosa is surrounding himself with some very questionable choices such as the previous Celso fiasco. Oh yeah, and he was a close associate of Robby Collins. That in itself tells all.
[Ed Note: Yes, but until there is a conviction for something wrong: the equivalent of a felony or a high misdemeanor, doesn't she deserve the benefit of the doubt?
I'll give it to you that Hinojosa has, in the past, surrounded himself with some lesser species. However, he has made a few good plays recently. Let's give it a bit more time until the empirical analysis happens (which will be soon).]
Olson
I'll bet Olson is just brilliant because she was referred through the Broad Foundation after her stint overseas came to an unwelcome close.
I know her energy level must be rather phenomenal to be able to work on her book deal and sit on the school board in Weatherford. That means for her rather hefty salary, DISD only gets part of her attention.
I guess Mike Moses set the tone for this kind of behavior. He was also paid a hefty sum and found all kinds of time to devote to making deals on the side.
Poor teachers. Most of them are so tired at the end of the day after they get to fulfill their extracurricular obligations for free that they don't the energy to be enterprising like these superstars.
Maybe teachers should be given free cell phones to they can work on their private business interests on district time just like their role models in administration.
Maybe we could get teachers some admin help and they wouldn't be so distracted by their DISD duties.
I wonder how all those staff members at the low-performing schools are doing putting in 12-hour shifts to try to turn those schools around? And for only a third of the pay of Ms. Olson. Wonder if they could use her help?
[Ed Note: Hypothetical question. What if Olson's efforts actually pay off and result in a better performing, more productive, more satisfied teaching staff?
What if Olson wasn't Olson? What if there were no book, no "questionable" background, no Weatherford? How much time is reasonable to expect a turn-around.
Readers here know we don't cut DISD staff much slack when their performance trends downward. We'll be watching developments and following up on leads and rumors.
But one thing really impresses me about Olson: those who have traditionally been critics have good things to say. She crosses all aisles and seems to impress everyone who meets her. This is somewhat new. Can we give her 6 months?]
Dr. Hinojosa
I just want to scream every time I read something about Dr. Hinojosa not being a bad guy.
True he is not a "bad guy," but his leadership is something to be talked about.
If you talk to any of the principals at several schools (off the record), they will tell you if you are not male or Hispanic, you will not be promoted in the DISD.
Just look at Hill Middle School and the previous relationship the former principal had with the Hinojosa entourage.
Why do you think he never moved her and what is even more unbelievable is that she is still in the DISD.
Thanks to the parents at the school for investigating what had been going on there since she entered the school. Too bad it took so long!
[Ed Note: Look, we have a request in for the latest salary/position database. When we get it, we'll put a little analysis piece in it, and put it up. Until then, everything is just speculation.]
Hinojosa
"If you talk to any of the principals at several schools (off the record), they will tell you if you are not male or Hispanic, you will not be promoted in the DISD. "
This has been going on for years. I know some folks that have had that happen to them and confirmed by other employees downtown.
Now in defense of that, you have to consider that DISD is what 65% Hispanic. Most of those parents aren't going to talk to somebody outside of their race--even if that person knows Spanish.
The only problem is: what's going to happen when the schools are no longer diverse in terms of staff?
Now in defense of Hinojosa.
He's just doing the house cleaning that should have been done in the past. We still have too many folks roaming around collecting checks and NOBODY knows what these folks do in DISD outside of collecting checks.
Once we clean them out we can start fixing some of these schools.
One of the biggest issues that need to be fix in the overage kids roaming around in our schools. How many 17-19 year old 7th-9th graders are screwing up TAKS (or whatever it's called now) for many schools?
Hinojosa / House Cleaning
I agree with "The Truth" that there needs to be house cleaning within DISD, but I don't trust those with the broom!
Older Spanish-Speaking Kids
As for 17-19 yr old kids, there are several reasons for that.
If the kid came to this country (from anywhere)after age 13, they stick them in the 9th grade. They take ELI classes, which gives them no credits for graduation, but helps them learn English. So, now, they have been here a year, know some English, and are now going into sheltered classes. They may succeed the first time, maybe not. So, sadly, these kids can be 18 and still be sophomores on credits.
What is needed is an alternative track for these kids, because they are often the very ones who drop out, seeing no future long term goal of higher education, but see a paycheck at a job now. Tough choice if your family is barely making it.
Also, we have some kids who are special education classified. They have the right until age 21 to finish high school.
And then you have the slackers, the truants, the ones involved in juvenile justice. They get behind. So, their skills are poor. If they drop out---and it is their and their parents' decision, the SCHOOL takes a hit on AYP. If the kid stays, he could fail the TAKS, and again, the SCHOOL takes a hit.
We need to recognize that college is not for everyone. Vocational education is severely needed and valued. Every other industrialized nation has a fully funded voc ed program.
[Ed Note: I'm agreeing with you on vocational education. Where we seem to disagree is that I believe it is the kids+parents choice as far as what opportunity the kid pursues.
I would have been extremely disappointed if someone else had made my career decisions for me at an early age. Just think: I might not have had this website with Ron Price threatening to sue me all the time!]
Spanish
The idea that you have to accommodate one race because they won't talk to another is really absurd. Switch it back about 50 years and see if it sounds good in the abstract:
This district is majority white, and I am a white parent. Therefore, I only want to talk to white teachers and white principals.
I think Mr. Tasby filed a lawsuit to end that thirty years ago, so now, we give in because they are Hispanic? No way, Jose!
As for cleaning house, I agree, clean it. THEN CLEAN IT. Cronyism is still going on. Go ahead and clear out all white and black teachers, principals, etc... Who will do the job of teaching?
So, exactly how many people in the top layers were let go?
[Ed Note: I think there are folks reading too much racism into the superintendent's delayering! Again: let's wait until we get the database--which should be by the end o the month. Until there is empirical data, we really can't make some of the statements we're making.]
Board Meetings in Portables
Only thing is the meetings would always be in portables.
The system has had portable buildings since 1885 has never been without them and never will be. Schools are never built for their peak enrollment. To do so would be impractical since enrollment climbs and falls over time.
Board Meeting in Portable?
They should come to the portables/classrooms at Lakewood.
Per Dr. Hinojosa: all air-conditioning was on and working today.
He must not have visited our old school here in Lakewood.
Several classrooms were without air today.
I am sure Dr. Hinojosa's office had air.
These poor teachers and students sweated all day.
I am so glad to see that he is "telling the truth" every time he goes to the media.
No Air in Portables at Lakewood
I also teach at Lakewood. Hear, hear ! We were indeed without adequate air in both portables and classrooms first day of school How shameful!
Speak up at Board Meetings
Being without A/C in Texas is a bad thing. In fact, in a crowded portable, it can be dangerous.
So, have you signed up to speak at the next board meeting? Invite the Board to come on a Saturday to sit in your classroom for 7 hours, with only a 28 minute lunch. Spring for the bottles of water.
Portables: Goodbye!
A portable was the deciding factor to leaving DISD this year.
It was leaning to one side.
The chalkboard would not hold chalk on its surface.
The bulletin board had been torn from the wall and had been leaning against the wall for months.
The peep hole was missing with just a hole open to the public. It was also sitting in a huge puddle of water.
The screen had a huge curse word written across it.
The teacher who had had the portable the year before said that it had been like this when she got it but requested repairs had not been made.
Parents-go to your child's school and see what your child sees every day.
DISD Board Meeting
You're right. The newly renovated board auditorium is a thing to behold. At least the seating for the audience is much more comfortable!
I applaud Dr. Blackburn for bringing up his concerns about how this restructuring is being handled. Mr. Elrod was doing his "duty", but the Trustee had him dead to rights because he was speaking under the agenda item that was listed as individual board member reports. Dr. Blackburn was simply reporting what he was hearing from his district. Not much the attorneys could do about that.
I spoke to numerous administrative personnel today who were called in and told to sign a multi-page document stating that they are accepting whatever job the district gives them and that they are releasing the district from any and all previous/current/and or future claims. The document states that the employee was given at least 21 days to consider this proposal. Heck! 21 Days?!! These poor people were called in and told to sign the document before they left the office.... More like 21 seconds!
I also find it interesting that there has been no Human Resource Actions Report on the Trustees agenda since at least April. I asked several Trustees about it and they were confused as to why it had not appeared. Ms. Gulley, with Board Services, said that the Board had agreed that since the Superintendent hires and fires all of these people, that they didn't need to see it or have it put on their agenda. I'm still trying to find out if this is indeed true.
Happy if they could read and write in ONE language much less TWO
Frankly, I think its disgusting. DISD published an article last fall patting themselves on the back because the percentage of gradutes that were functionally illiterate dropped from 34% to 26%. WOOO! You're down from one in three to one in four that can't read or write well enough to fill out a job application at Wal-Mart. What a fine education these kids are getting.
Here's another statistic for you. Only 11% of the DISD students were " At or Above Criterion" for the College entrance exams (ACT & SAT) in 2003. That means only 11% of them are eligible to go to a major University.
Here's some more numbers for you. Now these are 2003 numbers, because they're the only ones I could find:
Average Central Administrative Salary 84,838
Average School Administrative Salary 71,158
Average Professional Support Staff Salary 57,504
Average Teacher Salary 47,035
It's terrible when the "support staff" (secretaries, office people, etc.) are making more than the actual teachers.
No wonder the kids aren't learning to read, write, or pretty much learning anything else.
2 cents,
RC.
Correction/Clarification
Please be aware that Professional Support Staff are not secretaries, office people, etc. They are media specialists, counselors, etc., and most of these employees are certified teachers.
Also, keep in mind that most teachers work 185 days per year while Central Administrative staff, Administrators and those "secretaries, office people, etc." work 225/226 days a year.
Teachers only work 185 days??????
Excuse me. If one secretary in this district is making a dime over any teacher, the excuse that teachers only work 185 days won't cut it.
I spent at least 5 summers on my own time and my own dime taking extensive graduate work directly related to my instruction of students. I worked on programs for my students at least 3 weeks of every summer with no extra pay. I don't know of any teachers except the slugs who don't work on bringing in the new school year by starting weeks before school starts on the instructional program. How many secretaries have to grade papers every night and on the weekend?
The only teachers who have a real 185-day work schedule are at the bottom of the barrel. The rest of us had no life during the school year, and that included holidays, because we were working on school work. How many of these secretaries have extensive graduate school credentials?
It is certainly true that secretaries in the private sector quickly outpace the salaries of veteran teachers even if the secretaries have no degrees. This is another example of why the "profession" is constantly churning through new graduates.
[Ed Note: Very important point being made here. The devoted group (which is rather large) actually spends their Summer getting ready for Fall. I've learned that, in general, teaching is not a profession; it is a way of life.]
185 Days
I have to disagree with this essay. I'm a veteran teacher and believe that I do a very good job. And I do not spend my summer planning my fall.
I'm sorry but that is part of the perk of this field: we have a summer vacation!
I think that teachers, like those in other professions, need to spend their vacations as vacations.
I'm a better teacher for it and know many others who feel the same.
Certainly due to papers to grade, etc. we do not limit ourselves to 185 days.
But with maturity and development in the field, you should be able to manage better than taking home papers every night and weekend!
Work smarter - not harder.
Rodney Dangerfield of Professions
Teachers just don't get no respect, I tell ya.
Seriously, they do not.
Doctors are licensed, and they stay licensed. Not teachers. They have to keep renewing their licenses every 5 years now. (Those certified after 2000.)
Dentists are not blamed if their patients get cavities because of their own neglect. Teachers are blamed for every failure, even thought they are not the parents, the ones who brought these kids into the world.
If a smoker keeps smoking, does the doctor he goes to get threatened with his job if the patient refuses to quit smoking? Does he get "reconstituted" if he takes on the most ill patients in the county, but many die because of their own habits?
You know, it is easy to teach in Highland Park. Ain't so easy in South Oak Cliff. Or Far East Dallas. Or Pleasant Grove. Or West Dallas.
Companies will send employees to work on their master's degrees. They will pay for all training. They have all the office supplies they can get their hands on. Teachers have to scrounge for paper, take summers to work on education at their own cost and then be criticized because the kids they teach refuse to do homework, come to tutoring or generally care to pass the TAKS test.
[Ed Note: You think teachers get no respect--you should try being editor of Dallas.Org!]
Teachers with advanced degrees
Not only does the DISD not offset the cost of advanced degrees, a teacher with a master's degree is only paid about $1,500 more per year than teachers with a BA degree. How many years would you have to teach to realize a financial return on your investment. Also, PhD teachers only make about $1,500 more than the master's level.
At least in one state I am aware of, a teachers annual salary increases by as much as $10,000 even prior to completion of the master's degree.
Easy in Highland Park??
I have a notion it's not easier to teach or be a principal in Highland Park than it is in DISD. For instance, how many principals and administrators in Highland Park are allowed to steal money from their district and keep their jobs?
Do you think if this widespread DISD theft ring complete with Walmart gift cards minus receipts occurred in Highland Park, there would just be a few letters put in a few files? How about giving a promotion to one of the thieves? How about using HISD's tax money on gift cards to reward teachers who didn't show up late from lunch???? Think those standards would work in the bubble??
And do you really think many DISD teachers, especially those who are not even certified in the subjects they are teaching, would last a long time in Highland Park? You think the parents of Highland Park would appreciate teachers whose undergraduate credentials in terms of subject matter are slim, and whose instructional methods are based on lack-luster performance?
Or do you think parents with money and power can afford to recruit teachers who have the same academic achievement standards they wish to see in their own children? All extremely qualified teachers work very hard, but this idea that it would be easy to work in a top tier school district is ridiculous. The standards of acceptable performance are completely different because Highland Park can easily replace non-performing principals and teachers.
At the rate DISD is going, being the corruption capital of the urban school district universe, they will continue to scramble for anything that can walk and breathe at the same time. If you want lifetime employment and are completely mediocre, head for a school district where parents are powerless over the behemoth that can't educate their kids. And while you are there, help yourself to the student activity fund and anything else that isn't nailed down. You can always blame your larceny on the crummy neighborhood where you teach.
Highland Park Perks
Hey, do you know anything about No Child Left Behind?
Under NCLB, EVERY teacher MUST be certified in the subject they teach, no matter if it is in South Oak Cliff or in Plano.
The term "highly qualified" means you have a degree in that area and you passed the state test, that is it.
The teachers in HP are no more qualified than the people in DISD.
And your critique of "undergraduate credentials are slim," huh? Are you saying my college degree is worth any less than anyone else's from my top tier university?
Let's see, you think it is difficult to teach kids whose parents are lawyers, doctors and CEO's?
How many of them were born addicted to drugs, or how many of them did not speak English when they walked through the door? (True story: HPHS called the DISD to ask how to teach a German kid, because they couldn't help her at first.)
How many of the kids come into school hungry? How many come in abused? How many of the little sweeties in Highland Park have mommies who give lavish gifts to the teachers every year? You don't have to steal--if you are being bribed to pass a moron who is the rich guy's son.
You see, many of us in DISD have been asked to teach in Highland Park. They (HP) have a turnover problem as well. Apparently, they have helicopter parents in Highland Park, and if little Abigail or little Preston III doesn't get a 98 in French II, well, it couldn't be that he is a spoiled little brat and can't speak French if he were to try?
It must be the teacher's fault. (You see, teachers talk to teachers. We know all about which moms and dads do what with whom as well....)
Oh, and the overwhelming number of DISD teachers did NOT steal, do not steal, and will not steal. And stealing is not limited to the DISD. I seem to see a lot of CEO's going to prison, too.
You are totally right about one thing, though. DISD is a cash cow for some. Not just the activity fund pluckers, but the many, many "consultants" who make tens of thousands of dollars from DISD in sweetheart deals.
[Ed Note: Point made. There are hardworking teachers everywhere. Highland Park, while it doesn't have the specific problem set that DISD does, it has its own.]
Money for Specialists?
Go to the Dallas ISD website for jobs. There are seven Evaluation Specialists postings. Why??? How much money will go to salaries for these positions? I don't call this tightening the Upper Administration's building staff.
[Ed Note: The "de-layering" process is rather complicated--and there are probably reasons for hiring new administrators in the District all the time. Let's wait until after September 12, and we'll know everything that has happened and is going to happen!]
It's After Sep 12th
Well, it is after Sep 12th. How many of the previous top 50 in the DISD were fired/let go/retired under the delayering? I think I heard of ONE, two if you count Brokaw.
Meanwhile, the pressure on the teachers is about to make them snap, and it won't be pretty. The DISD will lose a LOT of senior teachers at the end of this academic year. Why? They are tired of being treated like morons and being threatened every day. Not by the students, but by administrators.
Fill this out NOW. DO this NOW. Document this NOW. Make sure you document what your group talks about during collaboration. If you can't "justify" that you are all working hard every day, you will lose that period.
Make sure you are early to duty. Make sure you have this report back in. Make sure you document every call to a parent. Make sure you call all parents. If their number is invalid, YOU find out what is the new one. Make sure--make sure--make sure.
Oh, and in your spare time, teach. But document that, too, that you are doing it EXACTLY by the CPG (Curriculum Planning Guide).
That is why we need summers off. Any business run like this would close.
[Ed Note: We have a request in for the new salary database. I expect to see it by the end of the month.]
Media Specialist?
Since when does a school district that supposed to be in the business of education children need a "media specialist"? If you're not talking about something that has to do with the library, that's totally out of line. That's a salary that could be going to hire another teacher.
Until the kids can actually read, write, and do basic math coming out of 12th grade, your "media image" should very much deservedly suck. San Diego and San Jose which are two cities with a very similar sized population to Dallas, have much better stats.
30-40% of the children in San Diego are "college ready" and 65.7% in San Jose compared to 11% in DISD. San Antonio, which is also in Texas, has 17%. It's also interesting to note that San Antonio spends nearly $1000 more per student than DISD. If that alone isn't enough to shame the school district into doing something, I don't know what it will take.
I do know what I'd do.
1) Effective immediately, all qualified administrators (e.g. anyone with a teaching certificate) would be required to spend one day per week in the class room, teaching. Having the extra teachers should ease the over-crowding in the class rooms and help the children learn better.
2) Effective immediately, any violent, sustained disruptive, or disrespectful behavior on the part of a student will result in the immediate placement of the student into an alternative school with an additional fee assessed to the parents for the alternative schooling. I think that we need a financial incentive for some parents to get their child to behave. Sad but true.
How's that for starters?
2 more cents,
RC
Cost of alternative placement
Amen to sending kids off campus and making their parents pay for it. However, pay for it with money from whom? Most of these kids are poor.
And remember when we were in school, "expulsion" meant exactly that: get out, don't come back, forget you know us? Now, the kids can only go away for so long: 30-60-90-180 days. They have to practically kill a teacher or burn down a school before they go away forever.
And DISD's alternative program only teaches the basic four areas. Any kid in the program too long gets behind on credits. So, they are at a higher risk of dropping out, and then the school that sent him away is punished, because it counts on their record. Just like when a family goes back to Mexico. If the kid is not shown as having graduated, he counts against a school. You sometimes need "CSI New York" to find out where they went.
Definition: Media Specialist
Definition of Media Specialist: A teacher with broad knowledge of media resources and the communication process, or one who helps other teachers locate an array of resources; a librarian.
It is just recycled garbage
The students get class sets of books and the board gets a face lift on a room used once a month. The portables are not set up and don't have steps, but the board has chairs wide enough for their big butts. DISD still does not get the message and their priorities are still out of whack. Don't tell me, show me. Put the students first with healthy lunches to fight obesity, exercise to keep them physically fit, and supplies so they can learn. Otherwise you are just murdering the student's mind and body.
A program specialist that gives an art teacher only $200 a year to teach 6 classes of 30+ students deserves to be fired. In fact, the district should publicly post how much money goes to each teacher to buy supplies. Then some of you critics will get off the back of the teachers. Credit card abuse is just one facet of what is wrong with DISD.
Get discipline in order, put together a comprehensive curriculum for the entire district, and get rid of teachers that don't teach. Don't worry whether the campus has a principal or not, the fact that so many were let go or not renewed, demonstrates how ineffective most of them were in performing their jobs. In fact some of the new principals that were just hired have started out the year, by telling the teachers that everything is the teachers' fault. Excuse me, when was the last time they helped mentored a teacher, stepped in the class room to assist with discipline, allocated enough funds to buy supplies, or assured each student that they would have a book of their own for every class so that they can adequately learn to read by doing homework. Way to build moral. Some have even stated they will be the last resort to resolve a problem. Now I call that leadership. But considering the biggest offenders were Hispanic principals, need I say more. You get the picture.
[Ed Note: I can think of several "offenders" who aren't Hispanic.]
Art Teacher Insulted
As an Art teacher in Dallas ISD, I am offended by the comments this individual makes regarding the art specialist getting fired.
It speaks volumes to the lack of information this individual has.
The art specialist in question MADE the program in this district and IS NOT responsible for the determination of the budget allocation for each art teacher.
That determination is made by her superiors, the true enemies of education in this city.
Surely this writer knows such!
This glaringly ignorant comment shows that he or she has no idea of the way this district is run.
Specialists are not major decision makers, at least not so far. They are more on the line of liasons between the administration and the teacher.
Before attacking the wrong person, find out what the facts are! There are so many more deserving scoundrels in this district!
Firing Wiggins
Though I agree with much of what "Anonymous" has to say about DISD, I must strongly disagree with his/her take on the Art Specialist.
Having taught in art classrooms without supplies, Janice Wiggins was often the only advocate and supporter of our programs. Many times, if it hadn't been for her support and assistance my program would have come to a screeching halt due to lack of supplies and class size. According to my administration, art “is just a place to put all those kids".
Janice Wiggins' firing is a travesty! I'm pretty sure the bulk of DISD art teachers would agree.
Ms. Wiggins: Loss to Dallas
I don't know what we will do without Ms. Wiggins. She managed to pull funds out of the air to get us what we needed.
Our campus budgets are a joke. We are expected to produce wonderful art work. How many supplies can one give to a student on a buck and a quarter a semester? We can give them four crayons, a pencil, some paper and the loaned use of a ruler.
Some of the suburbs budget more like $40 a semester per student.
Garbage in Garbage out. And we do more than produce garbage with garbage because of the dedication of the art faculty in DISD.
Amen on Wiggins!
You hit the nail on the head!!
Janice was the savior of the arts here and her dismissal will come close to gutting the program. Those who dismissed her know this.
It makes me wonder if that was not the intent; seeing as how the new focus seems to be on band in the district to the exclusion of other programs.
I am an art teacher for DISD, and extremely concerned.
This is another example of just how short-sighted this administration is.
Teaching Supplies
DISD teachers are given $250 for supplies and supplementals. That is all well and good, but the average teacher spends over $500 of her/his own money each year. Does anyone realize that those cool posters, extra games/manipulatives or videos are bought by the teachers, NOT the schools?
Now, the buzz word/phrase of the year is to get rid of worksheets--so they are rationing paper for the teachers!
I always laugh when people say a school should be run like a business. God, I wish we could! Then I would have what I needed, without being disrespected by higher ups.... You see, we are paper-rationed, but every single staff development on Powerpoint is also printed on paper, one one side of the page.
Lead by example, DISD.
[Ed Note: As I recall from past history, Edison was a private business!]
DISD board meeting
Who was covering the board meeting for the DMN? I didn't read anything about it in this morning's paper. Thank you for being our eyes and ears at these meetings.
[Ed Note: Well, I have to admit, there wasn't much to cover at this one. Something tells me that September's going to be a little bit different (hint: "de-layering")!]
Substitute Teacher Pay
What was talked about regarding sub pay? The main reason for the current lack of subs is Low Pay and NO Benefits.T he only people that can afford it are retired and need neither.
[Ed Note: All of the above. You summed up the issue.]
Substitute Teacher Pay
Substitute pay is also low because most schools use Teacher Assistants to cover a class.
It's much cheaper.
In many case schools use Teacher Assistants to teach the class for the entire year--despite the fact TA cannot, by law, be teachers of record or give out state tests.
Schools will get away with as long as nobody reports it or the folks downtown won't do a thing about it.
Subs Complaining
The problem with reporting the TA problem is simple.
If a sub does complain they are put on the "do not use" list and are frozen out of a job.
This can be done by the school or downtown.
The administration holds the power and threatens to fire anyone that goes aginst them.
Watch what you say in DISD!!!!
Bilingual Program
I wish they would address the "bilingual program" and why teachers receiving a $4000.00 stipend are sitting in classes with 8-12 students while general ed teachers are over the 22 student limit.
[Ed Note: What I would like answered is what the District plans to do with the non-native English speakers who speak another language than Spanish? Chinese, African, Middle Eastern, etc.? Plus, why do the native English speakers not get the benefit of learning a second language? Seems out-of-whack, doesn't it?]
Bilingual Teachers' Pay and Students
I would recommend that before writing data about students-teacher ration in DISD, please do some research first.
I am a bilingual teacher in DISD and your statement is far away from the truth.
I am a fourth grade teacher that have 24 students in my classroom. My other two colleagues have 25 and 26 respectively.
I know about bilingual kinder and first grade classes in several DISD schools are reaching 26 and 28 students.
On the contrary, I know fellow General Ed colleagues that only have 8 and 12 students in their classes because the Hispanic non-Spanish speaker and native English speaker population in the school is minimal.
Now, about the $4,000.00 STIPEND. Why do we receive it?
First of all, we are serving a high growth population here in the state of Texas and throughout the US, the Hispanic/Spanish speaking community.
We as classroom teachers must teach double of what a regular classroom teacher teach.
We must teach all subjects in Spanish and at the same time teach them English in the same class periods in which a regular teacher only teaches regular subjects in English.
We have to plan double, have knowledge of several academic programs and at the same time, address the needs of those parents, parents that can not communicate in English.
Thats why we receive that stipend, that's why DISD is spending money going abroad to recruit professionals to teach Texan students, because native Texans don't want to be sensitive and "solidaries" to the Hispanic population needs by simply learning another language, which is Spanish.
We Hispanics are growing and are here to stay. LETS REMEMBER THAT US WAS A COUNTRY SETTLED BY IMMIGRANTS THAT WERE LOOKING FOR FREEDOM, AND A BETTER LIFE. The history has not changed.
[Ed Note: Yes, let's talk about "freedom" and "a better life." How many of the students you're turning out will be able to speak the native tongue of this country well enough to (1) attend college, and (2) have any hope of pursuing a well-paying profession? ...or is this more of a "rights" issue than a "success" issue to you?]
Who Is Insensitive?
Let me address the insensitivity issue first of all: you state that DISD goes out of the abroad to recruit professionals because Texans don't want to be sensitive and learn another language.
That is the most ignorant comment you could have made.
It is the people who come here to our country and don't learn the language who are being insensitive.
It's simple: if you come here learn the language.
Why should I cater to someone who has no desire or has made no effort to learn the language of this land?
If I go to Mexico or any other Hispanic country are they going to learn English for me? I don't think so.
As far as research: I am in DISD, so I use my campus and surrounding schools as my data.
All of the bilingual classes in my school are at 12 students or less.
That seems to be the consensus of the surrounding schools as well. I am sure there are schools with high Hispanic populations where this is not the case, but in my schools that is what is happening.
As far as your "double" work, it is my understanding that the only subject taught in English is math. Is that true or are the teachers on my campus doing incorrectly?
This country was founded by immigrants and those pursuing a better life.
They worked hard learned and learned the language.
Is it wrong to expect people to learn the language of this country? I don't think so.
[Ed Note: Actually, it goes to core question of the purpose of education. Are we actually trying to help these kids find a better life, or are we just babysitting them until they're old enough to become day laborers?]
Bilingual Teacher: Translates Tons of Paperwork
I'm a bilingual teacher, I have 26 students while General ed. classrooms have just 7 to 11.
I receive stipend because I speak more than one language, I translate tons of paperwork for parents, students and school.
I spend many hours researching for materials and activities because my text books are in English and I have to find resources in Spanish.
In the community where I work, parents support bilingual education. They live around the school and pay taxes. My stipend comes from their taxes.
If a general ed teacher wants to have small class she/he can move to north Dallas and have a small class.
[Ed Note: I'm not sure, exactly, what your point is--but you may have hit on something. If you're translating "tons of paperwork," as opposed to teaching parents and students how to translate it on your own, what service are you doing for these folks in the long run?
I'm glad you enjoy your job.]
Why Translate?
God Bless You, but why are YOU translating paperwork? That is not your job.
And it has to be brought out again: if paperwork to parents is so important, that it should be in Spanish, then why isn't it translated into the other 60+ languages spoken at home by DISD students?
Why are the Spanish speakers favored? Don't use the "numbers" excuse, either. It shouldn't matter HOW MANY students there are.
Stuff was being translated into Spanish when Mexican/Hispanics made up less than 15-20% of the student population.
Allen keeps mentioning day laborers. What about the Vietnamese, the East Africans and others? Are they to be ignored?
[Ed Note: Excellent point! Right now, "bilingual" == "Spanish." It doesn't equal Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Swahili, or any other language.]