Incumbent Dallas ISD Trustees Condone Segregated Schools
-Election Day is this Saturday, with Early Voting throughout this week
-Current Dallas ISD Trustees benefit from the racist status quo where almost all majority black schools are FAILING our kids
-Current Dallas City Council and DISD members block charter schools (against the will of 70% of black voters) to line the pockets of high-paid administrators
Election Day is upon us, and this Saturday marks the day when we can make our voices heard and shape the future of our communities. Dallas ISD President Justin Henry and Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde want to avoid addressing the community’s needs because they support suppressing school competition. Why? Because they know that 85% of the students in the Dallas ISD are living at or below the poverty line, and for each student they “look after”, that represents a certain sum of money that they can bill the State government. In contrast, 70% of Black voters disagree with their position and support the idea of school choice. We know those in power are doing everything possible to silence the Black community’s concerns and prevent us from making our representations heard with our votes.
Stephanie Elizalde and Justin Henry follow in the footsteps of disgraced former DISD Chief Hinojosa overseeing an unwieldy system that benefits the wealthy first while leaving working-class families and those living below the poverty line with substandard treatment of their students and teachers. This is consistent with the disgrace that has overshadowed DISD for over a decade. They serve the status quo wealthy sectors first and foremost and leave the lower class neighborhoods the scraps.
This has led to a generation of ill-prepared students to enter the workforce and seize the opportunities of tomorrow.
When confronted with the concept of high-performing charters, the miracle of micro-schooling, or the push for boarding schools, the DISD only sees each student as a meal ticket for the institution. One gets the sense of institutional greed being the primal motivator as per its tacit refusal to engage these worthy options for family's interests and student's setbacks. Elizalde’s base salary is $365,000, and her job is to secure government funding for an ailing institution. The trustees like Justin Henry and higher-ranking officials use this dysfunction to line their pockets and prop themselves up in our community. Trust that it is no secret that the State of education in our communities has been a hot topic for some time now. Many issues need to be addressed, from inadequate funding and outdated curriculums to the lack of support for teachers and students in failing schools. The main problem is the ongoing coverup that the failing schools are conspicuously in Black neighborhoods. And while it can be tempting to throw our hands up in frustration and assume that nothing can be done to fix these problems, the truth is that we have the power to effect real change through the ballot box even if those in power would prefer we never availed ourselves of it.
As someone who has seen firsthand the impact that a committed and engaged School Board of Trustees can have, I know just how important it is to take this responsibility seriously. When I was growing up, we witnessed firsthand the consequence of schools that were struggling in many ways, with outdated facilities and a lack of resources that left many students feeling like they were being left behind. It took the efforts of a dedicated group of Trustees who saw the value of charter schools, micro-schools for the gifted, and boarding charters for students who were in desperate need of routine, role models, and vocational ""hands-on training."" These trustees were chasing a budget; they were not chasing an outcome of students being successful and having specified environments that addressed their needs, not administrators’ greed.
Over the last year, we have seen significant upheaval in the Dallas ISD due to gross mismanagement of these failing schools, from coaches feeling the need to assault students to improper sexual student: teacher relationships to feeding spoiled rotten food not fit for inmates in a maximum security penitentiary. The schools in the wealthy districts get everything from the quality of our teachers and curriculum to the resources available to students, like new computers, updated textbooks, and state-of-the-art facilities that make learning a more engaging and enjoyable experience for everyone. We need Trustees who are willing to listen to the concerns of students, parents, guardians, and teachers alike, who work tirelessly to find solutions to our problems, and who embrace structured alternatives to a one-size-fits-all-to-fail school system. We remain skeptical of ALL incumbent politicians because they all have enabled a corrupt system where black neighborhoods have the worst facilities and teacher retention. This Saturday (and this current week) is the only opportunity for the voter to hold them accountable for the performance in their respective districts.
When the trustees were given ample opportunity to voice dissent towards the DISD in favor of these alternative investments in educational solutions for Black students, they balked and went lock step in favor of finding refuge in a system that fails our children, with their only solution to the issue being to call on the State to pump more funding into a system that serves the status quo more than it does Black students.
It's stories like these remind us of the power we have to create change in our communities. Whether you are a student, a parent, a teacher, or simply someone who cares about the future of education, please remember that your vote matters. It's a chance to make your voice heard and to ensure that the people who represent us on the School Board of Trustees are committed to the same goals and values we hold dear.
So if you haven't already, could you take a few minutes to learn more about the candidates running for this important office? Find out what they stand for, what their priorities are, and what kind of track record they have when it comes to advocating for the needs of students and teachers. And then, when Election Day rolls around this Saturday, could you make sure that you show up and cast your vote to support the candidates you think will best serve our communities?
With early voting available throughout the week, there is no excuse not to make your voice heard. Whether You are a busy parent, a student with a full schedule, or someone who wants to avoid the crowds on Election Day, you can make your voice heard and have a say in shaping the future of our communities. Let's ensure we do our part and work together to create a brighter future for everyone.
