I come from a Small Farming Community.

At the time I was Growing-Up the Hispanic Population was about 80%; the White Population was about 15%; and the African-American Population was about 3% and; the rest was "Other".

It was claimed, back in my time, that the "Whites" were 150 Farmers; that the Wives of the Farmers owned the Stores and; that the Rest of the People Worked the Land.

I Visited my Community the other Day.

As I was Drinking Coffee with one of my Farming Friends.

I asked him:

What's the Population Now??

He answered:

"About 85% Hispanics; and 10% Whites....

I had to ask:

How about the Other 5%...??

He responded:

"Oh, It's the Teachers and, we still have the Farmers...

I followed up:

Does it Cost more to Run-the-Town ?

He said:

"Nope...It Cost Less..."

How's that?? I asked...

"Ooooh ! We Pay the Hispanics Less;

Hispanics Pay Taxes in Everything they Buy and Hispanics DO Pay Cash... when they Buy..."

[Ed Note: Interesting. Where did you grow up, just out of curiosity?]

So, this week I received a call from a source at Woodrow requesting a need for printer paper.

Then while at my sons school today (Yes, William B. Travis, I was again asked for printer paper. What in the world is going on here?

I have a district getting ready to ask me to vote on a bond package, and some of our schools don't even have the basic necessities? I wonder how many other schools don't have paper. So, I called my area superintendent.

The response from the assistant was go to the principal.

My response was, that schools should not have to beg and plead for basic necessities.

I have heard of warehouses full of computers and other items sitting there collecting dust.

Also, while at school today I noticed wires running along the floor. Answer to that question was, well those are the internet wires that were installed but never hooked up.

WASTE!!!!!WASTE!!!!WASTE!!!!

Please understand that the cost of all supplies trash bags, paper products have almost doubled over the last few years. The high cost of fuel has affected the daily supply needs of all schools. The budget for these items has not kept up with inflation. As for the wires that were not hooked up was part of the e-rate issue. Fed money were cut off before they were completed.

Well, high fuel prices have affected everyone but does that keep me from having toilet tissue and paper at my home, not. If your customers (students) need toilet tissue, paper, paper towels, etc., then you find a way to get it to them before they run out.

Why don't we do a comparative inventory? Let's check the restrooms @ the administration building against a nearby campus, wonder what we would find?

We (DISD) can always find an excuse not to rather than finding a way to succeed, can't we?

I am not making excuses. The school does not control the amount that goes in to the custodial budget. Thats downtown. They have not increased the amount per child for at least 10 years. This budget is different from what the principals have in theirs.

Yes, I understand the cost of items have increased, but so have my taxes by over 50%. Our local elementary school passed the cost of paper onto the students. When we purchase supplies through the PTA, a ream of paper is included in our supply cost. Please DO NOT tell me that the basic necessities cannot be purchased by the district. They have a warehouse full of computers not being used. I am sure there is another warehouse full of supplies collecting dust daily.

Hey, at some schools, we are allocated how much paper we can use. We are given a set amount at the beginning of the semester.

Call the area superintendent back. Ask them if THEY ever run out of paper. If so, who do they call?

The top staff LOVE to tell you to call the principal, when the principal can't even get their windows fixed or trash cans for the bathrooms.

I know of science teachers who have been told there is no money left in the budget for paper towels for their labs.

[Ed Note: They need to be posting here.]

Well, still no paper at Woodrow Wilson or WB Travis. Thankfully, I put a call out to the community and a local printer, Hill Printing, delivered 4 boxes of paper today to my house. What would we do without our community? It's a shame the administration cannot ensure that our schools have the BASIC necessities to perform their everyday tasks.

Lets take a closer look at Mr. Fischer's article. You won't keep up with out a program. Print the article and you will see 21 paragraphs. number them and away we go !

For the sake of argument lets only look at the $1.28 BILLION BOND info and lets say we all voted yes in may 2008

The article begins by speaking about 8 specific schools. Midway through paragraph 2 we see that, according to the report outlining the proposed bond program submitted by the advisory council,under the $1.28 billion package, 3 of the 8 schools, including Adamson High, would be closed and replaced by new ones. Lets call this scenario A.

Craig Reynolds, chairman of the advisory task force that prepared the report, then states in paragraph 8 that under the $1.28 billion package , 6 of the 8 schools would remain in use and 2 of the schools would be put to some other use. Lets call this scenario B

Paragraph 9 states that the report says that Adamson High will be replaced under every scenario.

scenario A: 8 schools minus 3 schools plus 3 new schools = 8 schools with Adamson High replaced

scenario B: 8 schools minus 2 schools plus 0 schools = 6 schools with Adamson NOT replaced.

Paragraph 11 then says the report calls for building up to 14 new schools.

If scenario A is correct could we only need up to 12 new schools ?

If scenario B is correct could we need up to 16 new schools ?

Paragraph 1 states that the report recommends closing the 8 schools that the district recently spent $28 million renovating.

In paragraph 4, Phil Jimerson, the districts director of construction services, said $28 million isn't too steep a price for an sdditional ten years of use out of those 8 schools.

In paragraph 9 it is stated that Adamson High's renovation was completed in 2006 using $9 million of the $28 million for the 8 schools.

In paragraph 4 Mr. Jimerson states that Adamson High, as of 2006 has 10 more years of use.
In paragraph 9 the report says Adamson High will be replaced in every scenario of the $1.28 Billion

According to my calender,based on 1 revolution of the earth around the sun equaling 1 yr, Adamson High still has more than 8 but less than 9 years of use left. If bond elections are going to run in 6 year cycle's how did Adamson High make the list ?

And what about scenario A and B ? If Adamson doesn't need to be on the list in this go around and the other 7 still have enough life left to be used in scenario B, Why in the world in scenario A are we going to tear down 3 and build 3 new ones ?

And in scenario B we use 6 of the schools, as is, and according to Mr Jimerson the other 2 could be used for administrative offices or for after school and summer programs. Do you think just maybe if those 2 schools are suitable for after school and summer programs they are suitable as schools ? They will still heat and air condition and staff them either way !We just delayered from 7 to 5 layers of management with a reduction of administration staff of 120+ personal. How on earth could we need more administrative office space ?

SO LETS TALK MONEY

Do we need all 8 of the schools we are discussing or only 6? Do we need 12, 14 or 16 new schools ?
In scenario A we need all 8 but need abandon 3 and build 3 new ones.
In scenario B we only need 6 and do not need to replace any.

Lets say that each new school, how ever many we need, the average cost is $50 million, the same cost as Conrad High School which a year and a half after opening is still half empty. Paragraph 20
I don't think that is to far fetched if they factor in room for expansion and furnishings.Scenario A calls for replacing 3 schools that are usable in scenario B. That is a $150 Million dollar question mark in a discussion about 8 schools.

Scared yet ? Try this The report says the district still needs $900 Million for repairs to existing property. paragraph 15

$1,280,000.00
- $900,000.00
= $138,000.00

Now we are $12 million in the hole if we build 3 schools

Sleep Well

[Ed Note: What I'm interested in is exactly how much this is going to raise my property taxes?]

Editor's comment about "how much this will raise my property taxes..."

While that is important, the bond issue would normally just be a matter of deciding where the money was needed most.

Now, we have to decide if we can even trust them with the money.

Forget the cost to the tax bill for now.

Maybe if we defeat a bond issue from DISD, they will have to explain to the public how they intend to restore our faith in them.

When will you start a thread on the next Trustee election?

[Ed Note: I highlighted the portion of your comment that is the main question. You'll note: the thread is not "we don't need a bond election," it is "are they ready to handle the money?" Trustee election thread coming up next month.]

Hey, Adamson is in sore need of help, but what will happen to the old building? Are they saying tear down the OLDEST Dallas High School? NO historical preservation, and they do that for Woodrow?

Hmmm.

Oh ye of Skyline - never under any circumstances accept "It's a done deal"

Remember why should you accept "No" as an answer from someone who cannot say "yes".

Organize! Stategize! Mobilize and maybe compromise. But do not roll over!

Do not accept this as a threat to pass the New bond proposal.

This is our school district, not Ms Mincheaux's or Mr Hinojosa's or even Mr. Martinez's or Ms. Collier's. Get the committee names of those recommending this to the Supe/bd of trustees and check out where they live - in or out of the district. Where their kids go to school. Pressure your trustee - not just the one that happens to have Skyline in their district.

Beware, all kinds of changes will be threatened to pass another bond. Have no part of it. Any bond program has never and will never be implemented as presented. The presentations will only be for passage and then they proceed as they wish, no obligation legal or otherwise to build, or fund as the original proposal suggested. Remember also, that there is no recall for school board trustees in Texas. Another reason to contact your state legislative folk for help. Make democracy work for you.

This your school, your kids, and your money. Come up with a solution or at least a group of folk willing to work toward resolve. Demand participation and input. But don't let it be a done deal!

[Ed Note: Again, I'm asking: are the moves to Conrad really going to destroy a magnet program--or is all this animosity a result of the administration's failure to communicate? My first impression is that the move doesn't sit well with me either--but I don't know why. Nobody to this point has explained why this is bad.

So before we talk about recalling trustees or call everyone to mass protests, can we figure out exactly what everybody is mad about?]

My son is a senior at Skyline. Our and his opinion is that when the clusters are moved to Conrad it will just make more room for low performing neighborhood kids ie.. street kids as our son calls them. I also attended Skyline in the 80's. We had to maintain a c or better average. What happen to the high standards that even Townview still has.

[Ed Note: Yeah, this seems like a risky move. I hope it works out for the Superintendent. It will not be pleasant for him if it doesn't. Everybody keep an eye on the TAKS scores.]

Skyline is a total package. It offers foreign languages and some AP classes not available at other high schools. It also has some sports not offered at Conrad.

You still don't get it, because you never went to the school or have kids who do--yet.

Part of what makes Skyline work is the balance between college prep courses (clusters) and the vocational. Unlike Booker T, where they think everyone will win a Grammy or an Academy Award some day, or Townview, where everyone at SEM is in the 40% percentile or above, Skyline has a mix. You have regular, AP track, vocational and other kids in band together. In the lunchroom together. In the sports fields together.

If you take away 25% of the clusters, you upset the balance. You disturb the program. You also are moving kids against their will to a school they did not apply for--and that has to be illegal somehow. These kids signed a contract in 8th grade to attend the cluster at Skyline, to perform well and behave. They have kept their end, how can DISD just arbitrarily move them--and without any input from the teachers whose programs are moving, the elective teachers who could lose too many students as well --much less the parents and kids?

It is a double hit: the way they did it, and what they did.

Understand? I will use magic to explain. Imagine that the Park Cities and their schools are annexed to DISD.

Take one fourth of HP Scots and put them at North Dallas high school. Tell the HP quarterback he can still play football at North Dallas HS. Tell the girl who is on the swim team that she can still do "other stuff." Now, would that seem right, fair? Tell them that they didn't need those German classes, or the senior trip. Tell them that it is the same, although they won't have Mom serving them food from a sushi bar, and there are some other things, like limited parking, so they will be bussed now.

Think about it. Would the HP parents just think it was okay?

[Ed Note: OK, now we're getting somewhere. But we need a list. What, exactly, will be lost? Lets get some specifics. Do we know what resources the students at Skyline in the affected clusters use on a regular basis that will no longer be available at Conrad?

This makes a great synopsis. Now we just need the details.]

I'm working on specifics broken down by students moving to Conrad, but everyone seems to be looking over their shoulder afraid of retaliation. Here is a list off the top of my head of what our students are offered. These are offered to all students, Magnet or Neighborhood.

Advance Placement Classes offered at Skyline:
English III, English IV, Spanish IV, Spanish V, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Biology, Physics B, Environmental Science, Chemistry, World History, US History, Government, Economics, Psychology, Drawing, 2D Studio, 3D Studio, Art History

Languages:
Spanish, Native Speaker Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, American Sign Language,

Fine Arts:
Jazz Band, Marching Band, Orchestra, Choir, Guitar, Show Choir, Dance, Painting II, III, IV, Drawing II, III, IV, Airbrush II, III, IV, Sculpture II, Jewelry II, III, IV, Ceramics II, III, IV, Theater Production, Technical Theater, Theater II, III, IV

Sports: Golf, Tennis, Swimming, Soccer, Basketball, Track and Field, Cross-country, Wrestling, Volleyball, Baseball, Softball, Football, (many with winning records and offered for boys and girls)

Other Activities: Freshman, JV and Varsity Cheerleading, Drill Team, Baton, Flags, Boys and Girl Step Team, Anime Club, Guitar Club, LULAC, FCA, FFA, VICA, Academic Decathlon, Business Professionals of America, Future Teachers of America, Speech and Debate team (Including CX debate, Lincoln – Douglas, Student Congress, Oral Interpretation), Mock Trail, Student Senate, Peer Assistance and Leadership, Youth and Government, Salsa Team, JROTC, FCCLA, Spanish Club, French Club, Thespian Society, National Forensic League, Mu Alpha Theta, German Club, Fashion Club, DECA, Architecture Club, Yearbook, Newspaper, ACES (flying club), National Honor Society, Art Club.

[Ed Note: Right, but we need to find out specifically what kids are losing what resources. For instance: if you are moving programs that are heavy into Mock Trial, I'd be interested in how the District is going to handle it. Are they going to provide access to the program or just say "too bad?" We don't know the answer to this yet.]

I grew up in North West Dallas and went to David G. Burnet. I moved to the Brownwood area in 1974. There was only 12 kid on the entire block which I live. I have seen the population grow and grow.

With the open borders we now have 77% Hispanics in the Webb Chapel area. Webb chapel is also known as the # 1 drop off area for illegals. I am Mexican American and I know that there were only 66,000 of us in the 80s. Now the is over 500,000. As long as we have open borders we will have a need for portables.

Another reason I will continue to support the magnet program in the DISD. This is the second student who has voiced their opinion in such an eloquent manner that obviously they are doing something right at Townview.

You still miss the point---we are not AGAINST Townview, per se.

Many just think that if they are going to have Skyline and Townview---they should be treated the same.

They both have specialized programs that appeal to a smaller number of students who perform at a high level. Yea, we get that. But one school has regular kids in the hallways, and one does not.

You know, using their academic achievement is a smokescreen. While the majority of Townview and Skyline magnet kids are not white, the argument made by the two Townview kids on this thread are remarkably like the ones made for segregation.

Replace "Townview" or "magnet" with "white"--and replace "regular" or "other DISD schools" with "black"-- and see if it doesn't ring a little hollow.

The argument that these Townview kids *need* to be separate ALL DAY LONG from anyone who isn't just as high-achieving is a bit pretentious. That is my point.

Oh, and yes, Townview kids in other schools' bathrooms, district events and other places do brag about how they are "better" than the other DISD kids. I have heard it MANY times, many times.

But there are snobs in all schools. Again, the issue is utilization of resources. Should the halls of Townview only be for a select group? If you read that and say, "Yes!" then argue to have it at Skyline, too.

[Ed Note: But is Townview "working?" Are kids getting a good education? For the benefit of readers who don't know what it is, why don't you give us the background on Townview?]

Did you know that over half of the teacher in DISD are not certified to teach what they are teaching your kids now. They just pick up anything, and pray that they will pass a test a year later. Most don't.

To find out if a teacher is certified in DISD, just go to the site below, click on the left where it says CERTIFICATION INFORMATION. Then click on OFFICIAL RECORD OF EDUCATOR CERTICATION. Type in the Teacher's first and last name. Voila!! YOU'LL SEE!!

http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/SBECOnline/certinfo/nbptscand.asp?width=1280&height=1024

The principals are TEACHERS, not trained to MANAGE MONEY. They still cater to friends, family, and associates, not Excellent Teachers. They could care less. All they care about is the ADA (Average Daily Attendance). Keep the kids in school long enought to make money off of them given by the state and the Feds. Over 70% of DISD's students are Computer Illiterate. A large percent don't graduate. Where is they money going? Why are we paying DISD administrators and teachers? Why? Why? Why?

We need DISD to be broken up into about 5 independent school districts or more. It is too big, nobody is capable of managing the staff or the money. They do not even know where the money is.

We need to GO PRIVATE. This is the only way that our children will be properly educated.

[Ed Note: Hmmm...]

I just spoke to a teacher friend of mine, and she let me know that all you have to do to become certified is pay $20 when your validation expires. That's it. Not test. Nothing.

What your teacher friend was referring to was the procedure for renewing a Texas Standard Teaching Certificate. While it is true that the cost to renew your Standard Certificate is only $20, you must also verify to the State Board of Educator Certification that you have completed 150 hours of staff development in the area of certification (and be prepared to show documentation upon request).

To gain an initial Standard Certificate the educator must either go through a university program or a state-approved alternative certification program. And FYI, the educator has to take a minimum of two, state exams before a certificate is issued.

For correct information please go to the state's website - www.sbec.state.tx.us and click on "How to Become a Teacher in Texas."

Are you sure you know what you are looking at? Did you look at 11,000 certifications and current assignments? Under NCLB, teachers MUST be "highly qualified," meaning certified. If they didn't, the DISD would be in trouble. They went to extreme measures two years ago to verify all of our certifications. I know that in my school, there is not one teacher out of compliance on NCLB.

And privatization? Really? Would we use the Enron, Halliburton or the United Airlines model of management?

Yes, we could break the district down, but then, the tax base would go with the schools. No more Townview. No more Booker T. No Skyline. Could Lakewood alone pay for all the schools in its area, 'cause their poor neighbors don't have the money.