UPDATE: Fight video back online after being removed by YouTube

Skyline High School has been going downhill.

Fights like this one [1] (requires Windows Media Player) have become an almost daily occurrence.

Education has been replaced by unruliness and gang activity.

Teacher Diane Birdwell gave a strong speech, at the October board meeting, about the problems.

Superintendent Michael Hinojosa apparently took it seriously.

Birdwell's speech:

In the past 10 years, I have addressed the Board as a teacher, a union officer (NEA-Dallas), a voter and a Dallas resident. Tonight, I address you in all of these roles, with the addition of Skyline Career Development Center alumni and Buckner Terrace Homeowners Association Crime Watch Co-Chair.

I graduated from Skyline in 1978. At that time, Skyline was the first true magnet school. Out of it came the Arts Magnet and Townview. But unlike Townview and Booker T. Washington, Skyline is no longer valued for its unique gifts. It has become an overcrowded shell of its former self.

The problems at Skyline today did not happen overnight. For several years now, neighborhood concerns and parental comments have been ignored. Union (NEA) warnings have been disregarded. Official actions have been left lacking, as if nothing is done, the problem will simply go away.

Recently, there have been a series of racially motivated fights on the Skyline campus. I have been contacted by several people, asking me to address the entire board about this matter because students from each of your areas attend Skyline.

The questions I have been asked to pass on are several. One is: Why have so many fights been occurring? How is it being addressed? Is there increased security? Are cameras installed? Why aren’t parents told about these fights?

I have also been asked to ask you why uniforms are not used at Skyline, as many students are allowed to wear gang-related attire. These racial fights are beginning to take on a gang related tone as well.

My street, as well as others nearby, have had large recent gang tags from "Varrios-13" and "East Side Locos Trece." Their comfort zone for gang expression is growing, and it must be stopped. We in Buckner Terrace know these kids go to Skyline.

In the past, DISD’s policy of denial and lack of firm response allowed major problems to arise. This must not happen again. The idea that tickets should not be written or arrests not be made is shortsighted and foolish.

I will attend my 30th reunion next summer. What will I tell my fellow graduates of Skyline? How do I explain its severe decline? Until a new high school is built in Southeast Dallas, Skyline will be large. However, hearing how one boy was beaten by 15, or another so badly, he could not eat for several days….?

My friends at Skyline, the students, the parents and my Buckner Terrace neighborhood deserve to have the resources available to nip this in the bud. If you don’t, imagine the publicity and questions later.

I cannot convey how serious a problem this is.

Today, Dr. Hinojosa made it clear that things are changing at Skyline High School and sent Dallas.Org the action plan.

Dr. Hinojosa's plan outlines several initiatives--as well as incorporates changes already in progress.

Skyline High School Action Plan:

Issues already addressed at Skyline by Mr. Wright and Skyline staff

• Start on Time! Stations opened in four buildings – begun by staff
• Foundations committee working on the implementation process to teach teachers and students expectations
• Four additional campus monitors will be hired
• YAC working to catch taggers and graffiti writers
• Consequences for fighting have been increased--no altercations this week
• Reassignment of courtyards by grade level utilizing school officers to eliminate school cliques completed by Mr. Wright November 5

Address the technology issues related to Start on Time! Implementation

• E- Campus is the program that Mr. Wright wishes to purchase. Unfortunately, because of budgeting, he will need assistance with this. He has contacted Sherry Christian for assistance. Ms. Mitchell will contact him and expedite purchase. (Sharla Hudspeth met with Mr. Wright 11/06/07 and will order six stations)
• ID badge maker – Skyline does not have an ID badge maker. Alternative Programs will assist with this purchase. Ordered November 6, 2007

Address the Foundations team training needs

• Provide East Learning Community Foundations coaches to assist with modeling and help with frustrations expressed by team. Dr. Connie Wilson will work with Eleazar Ramirez to work out schedule in conjunction with Mr. Wright
• Eleazar Ramirez/Cafea Harrell will attend several of Skyline’s Foundations Meetings to see what additional technical assistance is needed
• Cafea Harrell will share some model lessons with team to show how the Foundations team that lesson modules with students can work

Address the school climate

• Provide six consultants for ten days to share the demystification of gang workshops through non-core classes (Working to amend gang contract to include these services)
• Conduct a school and community assessment for Skyline and its school feeder pattern to identify needs and social/community services available to assist Skyline with identified needs
• The Alternative Programs Department will assist with the funding. Assessment will be conducted by Herrera and Associates (proposal completed, working to secure funding)
• Provide mediation services for any racial incidents utilizing both gang vendor groups
• Develop rotation schedule to be sure that graffiti intelligence is being recorded
• Work with custodial staff / maintenance to ensure the graffiti is quickly removed on campus
• Work with City to be sure that graffiti is quickly removed around the campus
• Secure a golf cart to assist with campus security. Paperwork in process to have delivered from Village Fair 11/06/07

Address the paperwork issues related to attendance.

• Currently, the cost of the proposed attendance pilot is projected is to be very expensive.
• Martha Hawkins will work with Mr. Wright and Ms. Mitchell to propose a pilot for paperless attendance tracking

If it works, the plan could spell trouble for anyone caught engaging in gang activity or fighting.

The plan also spells out a new focus on accountability, monitoring and attendance.

As to what Birdwell will be able to tell her fellow classmates, next summer, that will be the real story.

[Ed Note: Good job, Dr. H.]