Imagine Dallas ISD being on a special plane ride to our destiny, “A Premiere Urban School District”. Are you ready for the ride?

The Dallas ISD plane has several major sections for passengers. The Board of Trustees has adopted nine goals (major sections) to shape Dallas ISD into the operation necessary to move the district to a higher level of performance altitude. These goals address highly effective teachers and school leaders; safe, secure and welcoming environments; shared responsibility; rigorous curriculum; a positive and compassionate culture; professional development; data driven decisions; supportive central services; and, well-maintained facilities. Which area is yours? What part will you play?

Each section of the plane has a purpose, just as each goal of the district has defined strategies. However, goals and strategies without adequate resources for successful implementation are mere words on paper. So, what are our next steps? What will be your purpose for holding a seat on the plane? What benefit will you provide to Dallas ISD?

The Board has set the course for our destination. The plane is fueled and ready to move forward. Several schools are making great strides in many areas. Our graduation rate is the highest it has been since 1983, and I expect it to climb even higher this year. The Council of Great City Schools has declared Dallas ISD one of the fastest improving urban school districts in the nation. But, there is still much work to be done.

Over the next few years, all of Dallas must step up to the counter with your boarding passes, get on the plane, find your desired section and buckle up and get prepared to address our responsibilities to our children; the future of Dallas depends on it. Before we take off, visualize the Dallas ISD as “A Premier Urban School District”; a vision of the destination for our journey on the plane. Use whatever level of creativity you possess to see the district in this new light and believe the vision is possible. Believing the vision can lead to ownership of the goals and acceptance of your role in making the vision a reality. As you look out the windows of the plane, can you envision Dallas ISD becoming “A Premier Urban School District”?

The belief can only become as real as the people who take part in making things happen. Citizens across Dallas, including Mayor Mike Rawlings, have chosen to partner with the district to make a difference. What about you? The opportunities to join the flight to greatness are vast and can begin in every home and classroom across Dallas. Will your business or organization get onboard the plane, taking a seat, doing your part to make Dallas ISD “A Premier Urban School District”?

The Board of Trustees and district staff must acknowledge, accept and put into action our role with purpose and intent, supporting the superintendent’s reforms. Parents and families need to encourage and support their children to strive to be the best in every endeavor. Neighborhoods need to aid their community schools by providing fiscal, physical, and human resources. Businesses and faith-based entities, small and large, must join hands with Dallas ISD schools and administration. Civic and social organizations can mentor and tutor students to greatness. We all have something to offer. It’s just a matter of finding where and how you can make a contribution. Are you still willing to get on the plane?

We cannot continue on the flight path we have been traveling. It is imperative we change course with a higher altitude towards reform and innovation using creative and engaging approaches that helps every student perform at or above their grade level. Combined with other districts, we can set common core standards that are higher than the state standards. Hand-in-hand with area social service resources, we can help meet the multitude of student needs that impact the educational process. Can we count on you to get on the plane?

Every flight path we travel must take our students closer to the ultimate destination; ready for college and career. And we have to do this within the budgetary restraints and other requirements under which we operate. I believe it can be done. Get your board pass! Step up to the gate! Take your seat! Buckle up! Get ready for take-off! Destination: A Premier Urban School District!

Visualize and believe in Dallas ISD. Contact a local school, or call the Office of Community Relations at 972-925-3920 to discuss how you can become engaged.

As always, I am available to meet with your organization to discuss these opportunities and the many successes in Dallas ISD in general and in District 5 in particular. Contact my office at 972-925-3718 to schedule a meeting with your group. And, follow me on Facebook and Twitter.

On behalf of my fellow trustees, I want to thank everyone who provided input into the Superintendent Profile. Trustees considered those attributes while making our decision on selecting a new superintendent.

Proact Search assisted the Board in recruiting and searching for high quality candidates. Nearly 90 persons submitted an application. We interviewed both traditional and non-traditional candidates from an elite pool. While all of the candidates had most of the qualities we valued, one candidate stood out: Mike Miles.

In order for the Dallas Independent School District to move towards being a premier urban school system, it will need a unique superintendent who has a proven track record of leadership, vision, and innovation: nationally known Mike Miles.

In education, Mike has held positions as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and currently, Superintendent of the Harrison School District in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He knows what it means to be college and workforce ready. He holds degrees from West Point, UC Berkeley, and Columbia University.

Mike has 28 years of leadership experience in high-intensity environments as an Army Ranger, U.S. Diplomat, and Superintendent of Schools. He has spent his entire life serving the public interest and for the last 17 years, he has devoted his time and energy to improving outcomes for at-risk children. He will ensure we continue our mission of educating all students for success.

Mike turned around a struggling and low-performing district in Colorado and is a recognized educational leader in his state. His ideas and innovations around systems thinking, measuring teacher and principal effectiveness, and building an adaptive organization have been recognized by national education institutes and have been adopted by numerous districts across the country.

The future of Dallas ISD has begun. I believe I speak for the Board of Trustees in saying that we look forward to a very exciting and rewarding tenure with Mike Miles. However, in accordance with state law, the board must wait at least 21 days before taking final action on his employment as superintendent.

On behalf of my fellow trustees, I appreciate your interest in this very important process, leading to our decision and your continued support for Dallas ISD.

Sincerely,

Lew Blackburn, Ph.D.
Board President

I have focused on student achievement since my election to the board in June 2001.  To recognize the academic achievements of students in District 5, I have planned Academic Pep Rallies, one for each semester.  All students from pre-K to 12th grade, parents, teachers and staff members were invited to attend.

The purpose of the pep rallies is to inspire, encourage and support District 5 students to make good grades.  It is a simple plan and has proven to be successful. It’s really exciting to see 1st through 12th graders cheering together about good grades and academic excellence. It was ecstatic!

The last District 5 Academic Pep Rally was held Saturday, March 3, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Roosevelt High School, 525 Bonnie View Rd. Dallas , TX 75203.

Bands, cheerleaders and other student groups performed and pumped up excitement about doing well in school.  Kids told kids it’s cool to make good grades.  We also gave away prizes.

Students who have made “A’s” in core subjects: Math, Science, English/Language Arts and History/Social Studies are eligible to win prizes like tickets to Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars games, laptop computers, iPods, and gift cards valued from $25 to $100. It was exciting!

I appreciate your help in rewarding the kids and keeping them motivated to make good grades, stay in school, graduate and continue to college. It was essential!

We accentuated students being SMART: Students Making Academics Real Today! Imagine students from elementary school through high school cheering about the good grades they made! You should experience the excitement!

Want to help with future events?  Send a donation to The Blackburn Foundation, 2130 Lanark Ave., Dallas, TX 75203.  Or you may donate online at www.blackburnfoundation.com.  For more information about donations, contact me at 214-232-6380 or lew@lewblackburn.com.

Join us as we celebrate academic excellence!

See additional photos from the rally.

Dallas ISD Constituents:

In January, the board approved a Superintendent Profile to be used in our search for Dallas ISD’s new superintendent. The profile was presented by the search firm Proact Search based on input received from parents, community members, and other stakeholders throughout the city.

The recruiting process began in January, and we are now approaching the application deadline. Below is an updated timeline for the process.

Friday, March 9 - Application Deadline

Monday, March 12-16 - SPRING BREAK

Tuesday, March 20 – The board will meet during a closed session to narrow the list of applicants and select candidates to interview.

Saturday, March 24 – Board will interview candidates during a closed session.

Thursday, March 29 – Board will interview candidates during a closed session.

April 2-3 – Trustees will conduct site visits of selected candidates, if appropriate.

Wednesday, April 4 – Board will select the lone finalist.

Thursday, April 26 – Board will approve hiring of the Superintendent of Schools.

Thursday, April 26 – Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

Monday, July 2 – Superintendent of Schools officially begins work.

On behalf of my fellow trustees, I want to thank everyone who provided input into the Superintendent Profile which is on our Web site for review, along with a community engagement summary.

I appreciate your continued interest in this very important process, and your continued support for Dallas ISD.

Sincerely,

Lew Blackburn, Ph.D.

Board President

I have focused on student achievement since my election to the board in June 2001.  To recognize the academic achievements of students in District 5, I have planned Academic Pep Rallies one for each semester.  All students from pre-K to 12th grade, parents, teachers and staff members are invited to attend.

The purpose of the pep rallies is to inspire, encourage and support District 5 students to make good grades.  It is a simple plan and has proven to be successful. It’s really exciting to see 1st through 12th graders cheering together about good grades and academic excellence. It’s ecstatic!

The next District 5 Academic Pep Rally will be held Saturday, March 3, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. at Roosevelt High School, 525 Bonnie View Rd. Dallas , TX 75203.

Bands, cheerleaders and other student groups will perform to pump up excitement about doing well in school.  We’ll have kids telling kids it’s cool to make good grades.  We’ll also give away prizes.

Students who have made “A’s” in core subjects: Math, Science, English/Language Arts and History/Social Studies are eligible to win prizes like tickets to Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars games, laptop computers, iPods, and gift cards valued from $25 to $100. It’s exciting!

I need your help in rewarding these kids and keeping them motivated to make good grades, stay in school, graduate and continue to college. It’s essential!

Will you consider being a sponsor to our District 5 Academic Pep Rallies? Your $100, $250 or $500 sponsorship will help provide prizes, food and beverages, decorations and costs incurred by the student groups that perform. You can donate gift cards or other prizes.  Take them to the Dallas ISD Board Services office at 3700 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX75204.  It’s engaging!

You may also send a donation to The Blackburn Foundation, 2130 Lanark Ave., Dallas, TX 75203.  Or you may donate online at www.blackburnfoundation.com.  For more information about donations, contact me at 214-232-6380 or lew@lewblackburn.com.

Of course, you may also make a donation online through this website to the Dr. Lew Blackburn Campaign.

We will accentuate students being SMART: Students Making Academics Real Today! Imagine students from elementary school through high school cheering about the good grades they made! You should experience the excitement!

Join us as we celebrate academic excellence!

The online survey may be accessed at DallasISDSurvey.com.  Six community meetings open to the public are scheduled for:

January 9, 2012; 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
W.T. White High School Auditorium, 4505 Ridgeside Drive

January 9, 2012; 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
South Oak Cliff High School Auditorium, 3601 S. Marsalis Avenue

January 10, 2012; 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Moises Molina High School Auditorium, 2355 Duncanville Road

January 10, 2012; 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Woodrow Wilson High School Auditorium, 100 S. Glasgow

January 11, 2012; 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Dallas ISD Administration Building Board Room, 3700 Ross Avenue

January 11, 2012; 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
James Madison High School Auditorium, 3000 Martin Luther King Blvd.

Based on stakeholder input, PROACT will develop a Superintendent profile which will be presented to the Board of Trustees.

For more information, go to Dallas ISD.org.

With an emphasis on literacy, we are recruiting as many as 1,111 volunteers to join students on that day for 11 minutes of reading.  On 11-11-11, at 11:11 a.m., district staff and high school students will join a host of volunteers from the business community, service organizations and others to read with and to elementary students throughout the district.

11.11.11, a literacy campaign I conceived, is part of Dallas Reads!, a larger city-wide initiative to encourage everyone to read.   Through Dallas Reads! the district is joining forces with the City of Dallas, local organizations and businesses, and parents and community members to emphasize the power of literacy.

Students who read are infinitely better prepared for life and personal success than those who do not.  On 11.11.11, Dallas ISD students and adults alike will be reminded of the importance of literacy to our lives.  Click on the link below to begin the process of signing up to volunteer to read to elementary school students in Dallas on 11.11.11.

Encourage your colleagues, family and friends to join us.  Register now.  We’ll see you Friday, 11-11-11 at a school near you.  Students will be waiting for you.

 

Keeping in mind our vision and mission, as president of the board, I have proposed that trustees look outward as well as within as we focus on improving Dallas ISD. Our Core Beliefs are centered on students, educators, the achievement gap, the learning environment, finance, parents, and community.  Our goals call for improved student achievement, developing teachers and other employees, ensuring good financial management, maintaining district facilities, and a safe and secure environment.  Based on the vision, mission, core beliefs and goals as our foundation, we can succeed with the cooperation and support of the community.

Focus 2012

The Board of Trustees has adopted my proposed plan of action, Focus 2012, which will be the guide we will use to reach our goals.  It is not meant to be the ultimate solution, but rather a starting point for the school year; 2011-2012.

Focus 2012 is based on guiding principles and strategies.  The BOARD principles are Building Opportunities for Achievement through Relationships and Determination.  The strategies are from the Six Pillars of Dynamic Schools as expressed by authors Steven W. Edwards and Paul E. Chapman: 

• Communication & Relationships
• Leadership & Empowerment
• Planning & Evaluation
• Collaboration & Partnership
• Accountability & Responsibility
• Consistency & Repetition

Dallas ISD cannot become a premier urban school district without the cooperation and collaboration of many others.  It is only when service organizations join with those they serve that we can build the kind of community support necessary to build the village students need to succeed. Based on this premise, I am asking that the trustees and district leadership invite more people, groups, and entities to collaborate with us to improve our schools. 

Listening and Learning

Trustees make decisions each month that have a great impact on students, employees, parents, and the community at large.  Many of these decisions could be more effective if we engaged in more dialogue with the people who will be affected.  Focus 2012 provides two rather simple approaches to make this happen:  Dialogue and Dinner, and Listen and Learn. 

• Dialogue and Dinner would bring 10-12 concerned citizens together monthly with top-level district decision-makers at the dinner table to share information about the district and to discuss ways to build stronger schools.  The dinners would be hosted quarterly in private homes or restaurants with each dinner attended by guests of diverse backgrounds.  A top-level administrator and trustee would attend each dinner to listen and learn and share information with the participants. 
• Listen and Learn would be an opportunity for students, employees, parents, and community members to learn about district programs, discuss their concerns about Dallas ISD, and express ideas for improvement.   Top-level administrators and a trustee would attend quarterly meetings to listen and learn from the participants. 

 Community Commissions

We experienced significant results from the work of the Citizens Budget Review Commission whose members were appointed by trustees and the superintendent.  Focus 2012 will build on this concept by engaging citizens to help address our goals.  The intent is to have community members, experts in teaching and learning, and District staff collaborate to learn about our district’s many program offerings, analyze our programs and operations, and offer suggestions for improvement.

• The Blue Ribbon Education Commission will focus on curriculum and instruction, student achievement and development, student activities, school leadership and operations, and parent/community involvement.
• The Gold Star Employee Commission will focus on employee practices, procedures, and performance, assessment, professional development, and morale.
• The Community Relations Commission will focus on educational philosophy, community involvement, accountability, and public relations.
• The Financial Stewardship Commission will focus on fiscal management, business operations, food service, technology, facilities, the bond program, transportation, and real estate.
• The District Enhancement Commission will be a diverse group of business, civic, and community professionals with areas of expertise pertinent to district operations, offering trustees insight into viewing various aspects of the district from the outside.  The areas of expertise will include Finance, management, marketing, communication, personnel, real estate, facility maintenance, technology, construction, and health.

Trustees and the superintendent will each appoint one member to each of these commissions.  The Chief Officers and Senior Executive Directors will work with the commissions, along with a trustee serving a liaison to the board.

Partnership Initiatives

As we focus on our vision of becoming a premier urban school district with a mission of educating students for success, we need to enhance our partnerships with other entities.  As part of Focus 2012, partnership initiatives will work to develop and enhance working relationships with the goal of involving individuals, higher education, nonprofits and governmental agencies to help ensure student academic success.

• The Intergovernmental Partnership Initiative will include congressional, state, county, and city elected officials that represent portions of Dallas ISD.
• The Higher Education Partnership Initiative will include area colleges and universities such as Dallas County Community College District,Paul Quinn College,Texas A&M University-Commerce, Southern Methodist University,University ofDallas,University of NorthTexas atDallas,University of NorthTexas atDenton, andUniversity ofTexas atDallas.
• The Partners Interested in Education Initiative will include businesses, organizations, chambers, community, faith-based groups, parents, teachers, and students.

Focus 2012 is meant to be a guide for Dallas ISD trustees and its senior leadership to more actively engage the communities we serve in our efforts to improve our schools because I think we would all agree that as Dallas ISD and our children go, so goes our city. Working together as a community that cares, we can make Dallas ISD a premier urban school district that educates students for success. 

 Dallas ISD Board of Trustees Focus 2012

For Additional Information, Contact: Dallas ISD Board of Trustees President, Lew Blackburn, Ph.D.; lblackburn@dallasisd.org; 972-925-3720

Students have rested, tested, played, traveled, and camped enough. Some students went to summer school for extended learning. Still other students traveled to other cities and states visiting the many sites of our beautiful state and country. Others simply played the entire time with friends. Now they’re ready to go back to school.

Parents have had more than two months with their children on a daily basis; all day long. They have shared quality time their children and gotten to know them better. The past few weeks, parents have shopped and gathered for school wear and supplies. They have been anticipating their children going back to school.

Teachers and other educators ended the last school year exhausted from a long year of educating students for success. During the summer months, they took classes to increase their knowledge and skills. They traveled for rest and relaxation. Lately, they have been anxiously preparing their classrooms, eager for the students to come back to school.

Now that school is beginning, what will it take for Dallas ISD students to do even better than the last school year? What will your organization do to help the neighborhood school? What will you do to help students at the nearby school?

Call Dallas ISD to let them know which school you want to help by volunteering, mentoring or tutoring. The number is 972-925-3700.

Have a happy new school year as we move towards having world-class schools for our world-class city. Share your ideas for making 2011-12 one of the best school years ever for Dallas ISD.

The Board of Trustees appointed him to the position June 6, 2011 with a unanimous vote. That indicates a high level of confidence in his ability to handle the task.  We stand together in  our resolve to make the next school year a success, with King at the helm.

My optimism is based in part on King’s positive relationship with his peers on the Executive Leadership Team–Ivonne Durant, Chief Academic Officer; Donna Micheaux, Chief of Schools; and Claudia Rodriguez, Chief of Staff. I expect he will receive nothing less than full support from each of them as the ELT continues to work cooperatively, collaboratively and collectively towards moving Dallas ISD forward. More than 157,000 students and 20,000 employees are depending on this team.

With the support of the Board of Trustees, Alan King and his team of leaders can be successful. Working together, focused on the various tasks at hand, the Board will provide the governance and guidance, while the ELT provides the leadership and management to advance Dallas ISD toward our goal of becoming a premier school district that educates students for success.

Again, congratulations, Alan King! I look forward to a great year.