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Businessman Don Williams calls Bill McKenzie's DMN editorial on Superintendent Mike Miles 'seriously flawed'

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From Don Williams
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
To: Bill McKenzie
Subject: Your September 17 Editorial

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Bill:

Although I have great respect for you, your Op Ed piece isseriously flawed:

1) Any tour or appearance with Miles, as well as his public presentations, are carefully choreographed events – spin control– and are quite different when done directly with teachers and principals; your piece echoes fellow traveler journalists getting a “special inside look” into a totalitarian state hiding the truth, the everyday control of its citizens.

2) You refer approvingly to the Todd Williams piece, which repeats his mantra of “focus on classroom instruction and concern for the kids vs. adult issues,“ which is used as a blunt instrument to silence critics and deflect legitimate differences and conversations about important issues needing public debate – everyone I know in this debate is equally concerned about the kids; in fact it is the teachers who are daily on the front line helping the kids learn and develop and whose opinions should be garnered and carry the greater weight. You (along with Williams and Morath Op Ed pieces) refer to “uptick” in student achievement but you ignore the evidence from Colorado Springs and here, e.g., ACT test scores being manipulated by testing 18% fewer students year over year to reveal a better but false picture.


3) You and the editorial board blame conflict within and questioning by the School Board for problems in fact created by Miles himself.It is the Board's responsibility to deal with these issues and raise questions about legitimate concerns, particularly when the CEO has given them inaccurate or misleading information, violated board approved policies, and is orchestrating a public and private campaign to keep his job.

4) Please, no one is worried about Miles’ lack of jocular style, but many are worried about his lack of integrity.

5) You say “his style is not berating, belittling or autocratic…” and question allegations of his bullying style,” despite scores of teachers and principals reporting such tactics, as you heard from their representatives last week, and as I and many others have heard directly.

6) Of course, change agents can be “disruptive,” for good or bad; remember Bill Rojas at DISD and Ron Johnson and Dick Brown as the new CEOs at JC Penney and EDS respectively who were indeed disruptive but were soon fired by boards before destroying their organizations – that’s what is at risk here and now. That Miles should not have been hired is no excuse for keeping him here.

Frankly, it’s hard for me to understand how such whimsical and musing Op Ed pieces crowd out serious interpretive reporting and opinions on hard news issues such as those raised by Tawnell Hobbs and Matthew Haag in posts on the DMN education blog and those raised by Channel 8’s Brett Shipp.

Bill, if you truly believe in the corporate reform movement, high stakes testing, students as ciphers and teachers as assembly line managers, please just say so. But don’t insult the public intelligence of this community by trying to defend Miles as a good guy or a good leader. The weight of evidence is clear that he is neither.

Best,

Don

Waiting for a Superintendent - no excuses reformers always excuse themselves

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"... lack of accountability has corroded public respect"

There is a full court press now on to prevent the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees from holding Superintendent Mike Miles accountable for the damage he has done to Dallas ISD and himself - self-inflicted damage.

No excuses reformers are often ready to excuse themselves. The rules don't apply to them. Wrongdoing is merely swept under the rug and covered up.

Some Trustees are being pushed to ignore their governance responsibility to hold the Superintendent accountable for the numerous serious issues raised in recent internal and external investigations.  

Yet, no other Dallas ISD employee would be allowed to obstruct or interfere with an ongoing internal investigation of their conduct or contact important witnesses and remain a staff member.

No other employee would be allowed to publicly damage the Superintendent of Schools or Board of Trustees by plotting and carrying out 'a plan' to disparage the Board - "to assist Smelkerwith the drafting of a resignation letterthat wasnegative toward the Boardin order to generate positive publicity for the Superintendent Miles andnegative publicity for the Board." - using district resources and the help of other district employees. (footnote 31 - page 46)

No other employee would be allowed to refuse to be interviewed or cooperate with an internal investigation when that employee is the subject of the internal investigation.

No other employee who is the subject of an internal investigation would be allowed to read everyone else's notarized statements.

No other employee who is the subject of an internal investigation would be allowed to take over all evidence and have internal legal staff copy and review it all for the purpose of discovering if there is anything that will stick.

No other employee would be allowed to set their own terms and escape serious consequences for 'troubling' violations of district standards of conduct.

No other employee would be allowed by Superintendent Mike Miles to simply pass on through and reset their own button.

In fact ...
  • no excuse would be accepted. 
  • no pass would be given.
  • no button would be reset. 
  • no second chance would be considered without serious consequences.
But then most employees don't have ... 
  • political connections.
  • an overreaching Mayor unethically meddling in the affairs of an Independent School District and trying to interfere with the authority of an elected school board. (There is no Mayor in the Texas Education Code - only Trustees.)
  • plutocrats and wealthy sponsors and patrons protecting them.
  • newspaper editorial writers making excuses and blaming others.
Former U.S. Attorney Paul Coggins stated:
"This outside investigation would never have taken place if Superintendent Miles had followed the advice given him by at least three District officials to allow the underlying OPR (Office of Professional Responsibility) investigation to go forward."
In other words, it was not necessary for Trustees to spend up to $100,000.00 on an external investigation. Superintendent Mike Miles simply needed to "follow the advice given him by at least three District officials."  

The suspended OPR Final Report also mentioned problems withstaff attorneyscarrying out the orders of Superintendent Mike Miles:
Don Smith-OPR Director-page 36 - "I also requested that the direct intimation ofDallas ISD General Counsel's Office and attorneys be excluded from any action in the personal investigation of the Superintendent, as this legal service is a benefit not available to other employees in the District regardless of position or title during an OPR investigation.I stated that this is a misuse of District resources and a means of intimidation to OPR employees doing their job."
Attorney Paul Coggins also stated:
"... for a target of an investigation to suspend the investigation raises troubling issues, and any damages to Superintendent Miles' standing with the Board, the District or the community at large were self-inflicted." (p.5) (Also "... troubling documents" that had a "troubling appearance" ... p. 26)
footnote 16 - page 28 - "(Justin) Coppedge provided a statement to OPR that, on June 14, Superintendent Miles explained his decision to pull the RFP from the agenda stating "there is a political nature to the districtthat has to be consideredand there is nothing wrong with approving vendors who have influence in the community ... According to Board policy, political influence is not one of the factors that can be considered in awarding a contract(CH (LEGAL) ... (Rebecca) Rodriguez had a similar recollection, but Superintendent Miles denied making this statement."
Superintendent Mike Miles owns total responsibility for the "troubling issues" raised by his inexcusable refusal to take very good legal and professional advice to simply follow established internal investigation procedures.

Instead, Superintendent Mike Miles followed his path of fear and intimidation, and demanded that staff follow his orders to interfere with an ongoing internal investigation.

No one made Superintendent Mike Miles reject very good advice. 

There is no shared responsibility for his own flawed conduct. 

He alone is responsible.

The Coggins external investigation found that there is "good cause" for dismissal of Superintendent Mike Miles.

The clear duty of  elected Trustees is to protect Dallas ISD from further harm and damage "for the good of the district."
17 We watched and watched, wore our eyes out looking for help. And nothing. We mounted our lookouts and looked for the help that never showed up.

Would Mike Miles tolerate a subordinate who conspired to undermine him? - 9-10-13

W. H. Atwell Middle/Law Academy celebrates 9/11 Freedom Day sponsored by Entrepreneurs For North Texas

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September 11, 2013

Joining America's national commemoration, Entrepreneurs for North Texas (EFNT) were also "Honoring Lives Changed on 9.11.01 by Changing Lives Today." This morning in district 6, over 500 volunteers from more than 60 EFNT member companies came together for their 12th annual Freedom Day event. 


W. H. Atwell Middle School/Law Academy Choir Members
Stevon Harris, Director

W. H. Atwell Middle School/Law Academy, Selena Deboskie, Principal, was this year's recipient of the EFNT vision.  Volunteers arrived early and worked late helping to transform the tragic memories of 9/11/2001 into triumphant images for today and years of brighter tomorrows.  

Volunteers Attend Opening Ceremony

Freedom Day was a huge, lasting gift for Atwell Middle School students, faulty and staff as EFNT volunteers painted, landscaped and redesigned the Atwell campus.  Groups worked on various projects --  updating hallway decor, installing inspirational signs and re-desiging the "Archer" mascot (based on student focus group participation).  
Atwell Students Enjoy Perot Museum Musical Stairs

Especially for teachers and staff, volunteers created wonderful appreciation gifts of completely refurbished lounges, stocked with treats and surprises.

While hundreds of volunteers worked on campus, dozens of others served as guides on a field trip for the entire school of nearly 1,000 students. They, along with Atwell teachers, staff and parent chaperones, visited the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.  

After viewing a film about 9/11, produced to inform and encourage them, students discovered the many engaging areas of the Perot Museum.   

Volunteer Wrap-Up

Throughout transportation, the tour and lunch, Atwell Archers expressed excitement and appreciation for the Perot experience.   

It was gratifying to hear museum staff and visitors give impromptu compliments about the high quality of Atwell students' questions and behavior.

A big THANKS to all EFNT volunteers, including: project manager Pam Gerber -- EFNT Executive Director; campus coordinators Debbie Pon and Chip Bensing -- Freedom Day 2013 Co-Chairs ; guest speaker Tim Doke -- SVP Community Engagement for UNT Health Science Center (formerly 2001 American Airlines Communication Manager); and Perot Museum adventure coordinator Shannon Streeter -- EFTN member.

93 Years Young Helen Small Inspired Students
Perot Museum Volunteer 

Much appreciation to former Dallas ISD Trustee Adam Medrano for arranging museum admission and for supporting our students and the implementation of this Entrepreneurs for North Texas project.

Long into the future,  W. H. Atwell Middle School/Law Academy students, teachers, staff, administration and community will remember and benefit from Freedom Day, September 11, 2013.

North Texas Area Association of School Board Trustees and Superintendents hold bi-monthly meeting

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Officers and members of the North Texas Area Association of School Boards
Early this evening the North Texas Area Association of School Boards (NTAASA) convened its bi-monthly meeting at the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Professional Development and Education Center.

Grapevine-Colleyville Trustees and Superintendent Robin Ryan welcomed a full room of fellow public servants and introduced a talented, enjoyable group of student entertainers.  

Representative Bennett Ratliff, former Coppell ISD School Board member and first term legislator/member of the Education Committee, provided a current legislative and freshman view of the state Capitol political dynamics. 

School Boards from Regions 10 and 11 make up the North Texas Area Association of School Boards. 

In addition to training sessions, NTAASB meetings provide ISD Board member and Superintendent information.

Trustee Karen Ellis, Richardson ISD, is president of the North Texas Area Association of School Boards. 
  
NTAASB vice-president is Trustee Jesse Rodriguez, Grapevine/Colleyville ISD.

Thanks to all NTAASB officers and executive committee members for planning this informative meeting and the 2013-14 calendar of events to support School Boards and Superintendents.

Dallas ISD 2013-2014 Teen School Board kicks off the school year

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Dallas ISD 2013-2014 Teen School Board Members

Senior and junior class presidents from several campuses traveled to the Dallas ISD Central Administration Building to participate in the first 2013-14 Teen School Board  meeting.

They are an enthusiastic, smart group of representatives!  

The Teen Board serves in an advisory role to communicate and address student concerns with the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Trustees.  

Students are provided opportunities to further develop their leadership and communication skills as they become more familiar with democratic processes and public service. 

Two students from each of the 34 Dallas ISD comprehensive and magnet high schools make up the Teen Board.  

Anticipating a full year of activities, they may have opportunities to work with Dallas ISD Trustees, the Superintendent of Schools, district staff and community groups.  

As a group students expect to plan and implement a minimum of two community service projects. 

In addition to attending monthly meetings, teen board members will represent the Dallas ISD at district, community and city-wide 
events.

The Dallas ISD Teen School Board is off to a great start.  

Jacki McFarland is coordinator.

Dallas ISD Board of Trustees has the "final authority to determine and interpret" violations of policy

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Board policy BBE (LOCAL) states: 
"The corporate Board has final authority to determine and interpret the policies that govern the schools."
The investigation reports have been accepted. The Board must now make a final decision.

The Board of Trustees must now have a fair and democratic vote on this matter. 

The Board Agenda controls the Board actions.

Trustees do not create the Agenda. 

Board Agendas are prepared by the Board President and the Superintendent. 
Board Policy BE (LOCAL) - "... The Board President and the General Superintendent shall prepare the agenda for Board meetings ..."
Agendas are posted without any advance disclosure to Trustees.

When a fair and democratic vote is placed on the Agenda, I will vote to terminate Superintendent Mike Miles for cause based on the completed investigations, the related evidence and  "for the good of the district."
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Carter Cowboys win 33-9 over Kimball Knights in Dallas ISD Oak Cliff Superbowl

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Tonight Kincaide Stadium was the site for Friday night football and the 14th Annual Jones Memorial Football Game.

The David W. Carter Cowboys and the Justin F. Kimball Knights, friendly rivals in this competition,
once again clashed on the field in tribute to the late Kimball Coach James Jones.

Often called the Oak Cliff Superbowl, this game draws students, parents, former teachers and
alumni from both high schools.  Beloved by students and colleagues, Coach Jones lived by and
asked his students to keep the following philosophy:

I will always give the best that I have.
If I should get tired, I'll sit down and rest a while ...
... get back up and fight some more.
Coaches Shake Hands
Annually, Coach's widow  Alvanetta Jones and children came with an abundance of cheer and encouragement.

Though Carter took more scoring opportunities, Kimball played hard until the very end, .   Both teams showed discipline and good sportsmanship.  

Coach Patrick Williams is Head Football Coach at Carter where he also played high school football.   Scott Jackson is Athletic Coordinator.

Coach Carlton Nelson is Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Kimball High School.

Carter Principal Fred Davis and Kimball Principal Earl Jones were proud of their student athletes.

A Big Cheer for the Knights and Cowboys. We enjoyed your game.

Congratulations, David W. Carter High School Football Team who hold the honor of winning the 2013-14 Coach James Jones Memorial Trophy.

Texas Association of School Administrators and Texas Association of School Boards convention held in Dallas (September 26 - 29 - 'Education is Everybody's Business'

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Some of the TASB Officers and Directors
Trustees and school administrators for public education representing hundreds of 
Texas School Boards and Independent School Districts (ISDs) met this week-end
(September 26 - 29) in the Dallas Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center.  

The Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) and the Texas Association
of School Boards (TASB) hosted the Annual Convention to provide education and
training for 1,000+ ISDs making it a 100% Texas ISD membership organization.

The theme:  Education is Everybody's Business.

In addition to dozens of educational sessions, the Annual Convention featured the
following general session speakers: 

Mrs. Laura W. Bush, Former First Lady
Steven Berlin Johnson, Award Wnning Author
Ken Kay, Chief Executive Officer, EdLeader 21

Participants could also attend The  Lecture Series to hear four "Distinguished Speakers":

Larry Speck, Former Dean of th eSchool of achitecture, The University of Texas at Austin
                      and Current President, Texas Society of Architects
Andrew Busch, Editor in Chief, the Busch Update
Nikhil Goyal, Author and Learning Revolution Leader
Angela Maiers, author an dAward-Winning Educator, Maiers Education Services

The TASB Delegate Assembly adopted Proposed Changes to Priorities of its 2012-14 Advocacy
Agenda and Proposed 2012-2014 Advocacy Resolutions Recommended for Adoption.

TASB delegates also approved two changes for the TASB Cornerstone Principles:
  • Strong family and community engagement to create optimal opportunities for each child
  • Opposition to th euse of public funds for vouchers, tax credits, and other mechanisms
         to privitize public education

Superb student performing groups from Stephenville ISD and Aldine ISD captivated the audience.

Darrell Floyd, TASA President and Superintendent of Stephenville ISD, presided on Friday.

Viola Garcia, TASB President and Board Secretary, Aldine ISD, was presider at the Saturday General Session. 

Sunday's presiding officer was Faye Beaulieu, TASB President Elect and Board Vice-President, Hurst-Euless Bedford ISD.

Thanks to TASB Staff and Executive Director James B. Crow for another high-quality Annual Convention.  

John Leslie Patton, Jr. Academic Center hosts Title 1 Community meeting

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Patton Academic Center Faculty and Staff

Persisting -- Stick to It! was the message guests read on the marquee at the John Leslie Patton, Jr. Academic Center as they arrived for the Title I Community Meeting at Nolan Estes Plaza this evening.  Available copies of The Lion’s Roar campus newsletter alsoreminds students that persistence is a trait of successful people and encourages persevering in a task to completion. 

The Patton Academic Center serves our over-age high school students, up to age 21, who desire to graduate from high school. 

The June 2013 Patton class proudly marched 86 graduates -- 82 of these graduates were accepted into either a four or two year college or training school.

Unfortunately, as educational bureaucracy goes, the state evaluated Patton on only 39 students, though they graduated 86.

Focusing on Punctuality, Responsibility, Initiative, Determination andExcellence or PRIDE, the Patton Academic Center met Standards for Student Performance. 

A significant note -- 63.5% of students at the Patton Academic Center are mobile.  In other words, regularly or nightly these students have no reliable place to lay their heads. Yet, through this and other severe hardships and challenges, they persist.  Their stories, actions and attitudes are inspirational.

Thank you, Patton Academic Center teachers, staff and administration.  Your own persistence, dedication, and belief in this population of students helps them to persevere.  It is clear -- they depend on you.  Even more, they appreciate you.  

Principal Dwain Simmons provides campus leadership at the John Leslie Patton, Jr. Academic Center where they are helping students develop with persistence.   



Ray Charles Stamp Unveiled at Booker T. Washington High School for the performing and visual arts

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Ray Charles Stamp 

The United States Postal Service selected  Booker T. Washington (BTW) High School for the Performing and Visual Arts as the site to honor music icon Ray Charles and to unveil the Ray Charles Stamp.

Students and community celebrated the life of Ray Charles while recalling his time of residence and career development here in Dallas. 

BTW High School Jazz Combo 1
The Posting of Colors by North Dallas High School JROTC, commanded by CSM Blaine Stewart and the Invocation  by student Jake Robinson  positioned the audience for the ceremony.

Stamp Unveiling Audience
Long-time  BTW teacher  Bart Marantz shared fond memories of his career encounters with the genius of Ray Charles.  He then conducted six student artists of  the BTW Jazz Combo 1 in A Tribute to Ray, skillfully arranged and executed.

Roger Boykin, BTW Principal Rudes and community
National jazz artist Roger Boykin told guests he first saw Ray Charles when nine year old Boykin was selected as one of the students at H.S. Thompson Elementary who had 15 cents to pay for the performance.   Years later he was invited 5 times to travel and perform with Ray Charles but was never in a position to accept the opportunity.  To to immense audience delight, Boykin performed one of his favorite, but little known Ray Charles songs.

Additional performances by Wilma Johnson, Postmaster, Rowlett, TX and Dallas-based playwright Dianne Tucker mesmerized the audience.
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Ray Charles - America, The Beautiful

Jim Schutze of the Dallas Observer again makes false accusations about the investigations of Superintendent Mike Miles

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Jim Schutze of the Dallas Observer recently, Wednesday, October 30, 2013, posted the following false statements:
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Mike Miles and the Bad Annual Review Issue: More Bullshit from The Dallas Morning News 

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2013/10/mike_miles_and_the_bad_annual.php


“Nothing in Smith's investigative report or Coggins' first review of it gave Miles' enemies on the board the red meat they needed to take him down. They didn't even get a cold hot dog. So the board members most involved in persuading Smith to do the initial investigation, Carla Ranger, Bernadette Nutall and Elizabeth Jones, goaded Coggins to give it another try.”

"Yeah, well please allow me to present a very different take on that whole process. Coggins, who was paid 50 grand for his work, combed over the investigative report produced by Don Smith, head of the school district's Office or Professional Responsibility or OPR, and found it was a jumble of bullshit allegations, not one of which would stick,ginned up with heavy participation by school board membersout to get Miles over school reform and teacher pay and tenure issues."

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These statements are false.

Actually, I knew nothing about the complaint filed by Communications Chief Rebecca Rodriquez against Superintendent Mike Miles until it was accidently revealed to Dallas ISD board members in a closed board session. 


I had no involvement at all in persuading Don Smith to do the initial investigation.  The board was never even informed that an investigation of Superintendent Mike Miles was being conducted.

And I certainly did not ‘goad’ Attorney Paul Coggins.  

Attorney Coggins reported information discovered during the investigation and asked if Trustees wanted him to look further into it. He never reported that Trustees ‘ginned up’ anything.

The complaint against Superintendent Mike Miles was filed with the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) by former Dallas ISD Communications Chief Rebecca Rodriquez. 

Notice in the Jim Shutze article there is no mention of the fact that the complaint was brought against the superintendent by an employee in his own "cabinet." 

No, Jim Schutz  wants readers of his article to think that it was a Trustee problem. 

It was not. 

It was a problem between Superintendent Mike Miles and the Communications Chief he hired - Rebecca Rodriguez.

Jim Shutze admits to having become an "apoplectic apologist" for a public official.

Spreading disinformationand distorting the truth is even worse and blatantly dishonest.

"Good journalism always seeks the truth, and the truth is not a lie."

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Disinformationis intentional false or inaccurate information that is spread deliberately. It is an act of deception and false statements to convince someone of untruth. (Wikipedia)
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Jim Schutze stated:

"Right away let me say: No one is more troubled than I am by my own knee-jerkism concerning Dallas superintendent of schools Mike Miles. How the hell did I ever find myself in the role of predictably apoplectic apologist for a public official? Please, somebody free me from my own alliteration!"

Texas Association of School Boards Fall Legal Seminar held in Austin

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In addition to providing a number of services , TASB Legal Services designs seminars to help member school districts advance public education.  School Board members, administrators and attorneys are offered a variety of information and training sessions. 

The TASB Fall Legal Seminar this week-end in Austin covered several topics from   “When good Employees Go Bad” to recent Legislative and Legal Updates.

Also included were informative and for me, confirming discussions about the Texas Open Meetings Act (OMA), which was established to “ensure the public’s access to meetings of governmental bodies so that it has the opportunity to be informed concerning the transactions of public business.”

I have often expressed concerns about following the Texas Open Meetings Act. Training at the TASB Legal Seminar provided helpful Texas Open Meetings Act reminders.

Texas ISD representatives from small to large school districts attended the TASB Fall Seminar facilitated by TASB Legal Services staff. 

Thanks to TASB Legal Services for providing quality educational training about legal developments that influence and affect public schools in Texas.

Dr. Billy Earl Dade Middle School Dedication

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Billy Earl Dade Middle School


“Education is the doorway to opportunity,” is the philosophy Dr. Billy Earl Dade talked and walked, as well as taught to generations of students from elementary school to college and university campuses.

Today, former students and co-workers joined the Dade Family and friends in dedicating the Billy Earl Dade Middle School in honor of this longtime South Dallas educator.

Throughout the morning, students recalled Dr. Dade’s continuing curiosity for knowledge and his inspiration, encouragement and insistence that they be curious too. As teacher and principal he taught students to make every effort to develop their minds and ability to think.

Dr. Dade's widow, Mrs. Wilene Dade, passed away on September 13, 2009 in South Dallas. She was 90. The Dade home was one block from Billy Earl Dade Middle School. Mrs. Dade still lived there. 

Dr. Dade’s legacy gives a timeless message, significant then, now and in the future. 

We appreciate Dr. Billy Earl Dade for his many contributions to the history of education in South Dallas and especially for his dedication to developing students of all ages. 

Former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa - "education is the most powerful weapon"

A tribute to President Nelson Mandela - 'His Day Is Done' by Dr. Maya Angelou

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"Yesterday, the U.S. State Department unveiled a tribute poem written by Dr. Maya Angelou for Mandela "on behalf of the American people."
"Yes, Mandela's day is done," the Pulitzer Prize-winning Angelou said. "Yet we, his inheritors, will open the gates wider for reconciliation."NPR

"His day is done.
Is done.
The news came on the wings of a wind
Reluctant to carry its burden.
Nelson Mandela’s day is done.
The news, expected and still unwelcome
Reached us in the United States and suddenly
Our world became somber.
Our skies were leadened
His day is done.
We see you, South African people
Standing speechless at the slamming
Of that final door
Through which no traveler returns.

Our spirits reach out to you
Bantu, Zulu, Xhosa, Boer
We think of you
And your Son of Africa,
Your Father
Your One More Wonder of the World.
We send our souls to you
As you reflect upon
Your David armed with
A mere stone facing down
The Mighty Goliath,
Man of strength Gideon,
Emerging triumphant
Although born into the brutal embrace of Apartheid
Scarred by the savage atmosphere of racism,
Unjustly imprisoned
In the bloody maws of South African dungeons.
Would the man survive?
Could the man survive?
His answer strengthened men and women
Around the world.
In the Alamo in San Antonio, TX
On the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco,
In Chicago’s loop
In New Orleans Mardi Gras
In New York City’s Times Square
We watched as the hope of Africa sprang
Through the prison’s doors
His stupendous heart in tact
His gargantuan will
Hale and hearty

He had not been crippled by brutes
Nor was his passion for the rights
Of human beings
Diminished by twenty-seven years of imprisonment
Even here in America
We felt the cool
Refreshing breeze of freedom
When Nelson Mandela took
The seat of the Presidency
In his Country
Where formally he was not even allowed to vote
We were enlarged by tears of pride
As we saw Nelson Mandela’s
Former prison guards
Invited, courteously, by him to watch
From the front rows
His inauguration.

We saw him accept
The world’s award in Norway
With the grace and gratitude
Of the Solon in Ancient Roman Courts
And the confidence of African Chiefs
From ancient royal stools.
No sun outlasts its sunset
But will rise again
And bring the dawn
Yes, Mandela’s day is done,
Yet we, his inheritors
Will open the gates wider
For reconciliation and we will respond
Generously to the cries
Of the Blacks and Whites,
The Asian, the Hispanic,
The poor who live piteously
On the floor of our planet
He has offered us understanding
We will not withhold forgiveness
Even from those who do not ask
Nelson Mandela’s day is done
We confess it in tearful voices
Yet we lift our own to say
Thank You.
Thank You, Our Gideon.
Thank You, Our David.
Our great courageous man

We will not forget you
We will not dishonor you
We will remember and be glad
That you lived among us
That you taught us
And
That you loved us
All!"

Dallas ISD District 6 Election - May 2014

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Dear District 6 Friends,

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Trustee for the last 8 years (2006).

I will not be a candidate for re-election in May, 2014.

Thank you for your support during these very difficult days for public education everywhere.

Serving you has been an honor, a privilege and my pleasure.

With thanks always,

Carla Ranger
District 6 Trustee

Merit pay doesn't work in education but it does increase cheating

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Merit pay study: Teacher bonuses don't raise student test scores (USA Today- 9-21-10)
"NASHVILLE — Offering middle-school math teachers bonuses up to $15,000 did not produce gains in student test scores, Vanderbilt University researchers reported Tuesday in what they said was the first scientifically rigorous test of merit pay."

There appears to be no body of consistent data showing that merit pay results in significant improvement in academic test scores. 

Merit pay changes collaboration to competition and creates a culture of exploiting students for adult profit. 

Who will want to teach the students in greatest need if it creates an unfair financial disadvantage?

Career analyst Dan Pink examines the puzzle of motivation, starting with a fact that social scientists know but most managers don't: Traditional rewards aren't always as effective as we think. Listen for illuminating stories -- and maybe, a way forward.

The Puzzle of Motivation

Dallas Fire Fighters provide coats for 529 students at Martin Weiss Elementary School

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After hearing about Project Warm at a national professional convention last summer, Fire Fighter Mike McLemore knew exactly how he and his colleagues could support and help children in Dallas ISD.   

As 1stVice President of Local 58 Dallas Fire Fighters Association, Fireman McLemore suggested an annual project: Select a Dallas ISD school and raise funds to ensure that every student had a new coat to help them be warm, healthy and ready to learn throughout the cold winter .  The project caught fire.


Today fire-fighter volunteers and Auxiliary members distributed coats at Martin Weiss Elementary School.  By grades, all 529 Martin Weiss owls lined up with big smiles, hand-written cards and colorful signs of appreciation.

Volunteers were struck by expressions and emotions of some students who may not have ever owned a new coat.

 Though temperatures were warm outside and inside the school building,  once trying on their new coats, students did not want to take them off.  Having previously provided information, many were able to select their favorite color and a coat sized to fit this year and next.


Receiving new coats was zipped up with students' meeting Fire Chief Louie Bright, III, a Dallas ISD graduate, and visiting a big red fire truck.  What a day to remember!


Teacher Dwayla Berry co-ordinated, assisted by technology specialist Euraine Patin and counselor Kimberly Washington.

Dr. Deardra Hayes-Whigham is Principal at Martin Weiss Elementary. 

Dallas ISD celebrates 5 new National Board Certified Teachers

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National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Dallas District Reception

Traditional ginger ale toast
Cheers, celebrations and congratulations flowed throughout the pinning ceremony and reception for five Dallas ISD teachers who recently completed certification requirements of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.



This evening, with big smiles and flowing tears, the following new Dallas ISD National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT), along with admiring colleagues, family members and friends, lifted glasses for the traditional ginger ale toast:

 
Rhonda Bliss– Arturo Salazar Elementary School
Ignacio Javier– Louise Wolff Kahn Elementary School
Olubukola Olaloko  --  Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy
Tiffanye Lockhart-Oliver – Harrell Budd Elementary School
Iheanacho  Orabuchi, Ph.D. --  L. L. Hotchkiss Elementary School

Dr. Martin Osae, one of two of the first Dallas ISD National Board Certified Teachers, spoke to honorees about “Being a Dallas ISD NBCT.” Here is a summary of his inspiring 5 Point Charge: 


1.     You are in a place of influence.  Use it.

2.     You are a catalyst for change.  Be it.

3.     You are a voice for accomplished teaching and best practice.  Speak it.

4.     You are a commitment to duplicating yourself. Do it.

5.     You are an infection of DNA for accomplished teaching.  Spread it.    
Rhonda  Bliss, National Board Certified Teacher

These new certifications give Dallas ISD a total of 23 National Board Certified Teachers.  This accomplishment is not easy, but with support, resources, encouragement, as well as lots of sweat and some tears, it can be done. 

Tiffanye Lockhart-Oliver, National Board Certified Teacher
National Board Certified Teachers Karen Barnes, Christine Koski and a team of NBCTs planned and sponsored the ceremony.

Dr. Iheanacho Orabuchi, National Board Certified Teacher

Congratulations Ms. Bliss, Mr. Javier, Mrs. Olaloko, Mrs. Lockhart-Oliver and Dr. Orabuchi.  “We’re proud of you.”

Ignacio Javier, National Board Certified Teacher

Olubukola Olalodo, National Board Certified Teacher
     

Michael Hinojosa will be working with PROACT Search as Senior Vice President

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"Michael Hinojosa and Patrick Russo will be working with PROACT Search as Senior Vice Presidents and will work to grow the reach of PROACT Search in K12 Executive Search Services, work closely with client engagements and bring new expertise in developing new products and services for the firm."

https://www.facebook.com/PROACTSearch


Michael Hinojosa, former Superintendent of Dallas ISD (2005-2011), became Superintendent of Cobb County Schools (Georgia) in June 2011.
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Dallas ISD to spend up to $200,000 on search firm to find Mike Miles’ cabinet members and principals-Education Blog - DMN - 5-24-12

Former Dallas superintendent Michael Hinojosa resigns from top job in suburban Atlanta schools

Former Superintendent Michael Hinojosa returning to Dallas
http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/24631397/former-superintendent-michael-hinojosa-returning-to-dallas
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