As district and school leaders explore ways to mitigate learning loss related to the COVID-19 crisis, parents are reminded that regular school attendance is vital to ensure students master the skills required for academic success. The opposite is also true—students who do not attend school regularly miss essential instruction possibly resulting in learning loss and other negative consequences, including retention and penalties related to truancy. Texas state law requires students to attend 90% of scheduled class days to receive a course grade at the elementary level or credit for a class at the secondary level. Board policy requires that parents…

Eligible support staff whose current base salary is less than $50,000 have received a one-time incentive of $750 in their November paychecks. The incentive was approved by the Board of Trustees in June 2020 as part of the district’s compensation package and amounts to more than $4.9 million in additional compensation to Dallas ISD staff. The stipend was added to the paychecks of more than 6,570 non-exempt, full-time employees at campuses, central administration, Food and Child Nutrition Services, and the Maintenance and Facilities, Police and Security, IT, and  Student Transportation departments. Employees who received the stipend must have been hired…

As the Texas legislature gears up to begin its 87th session, the Dallas Independent School District is supporting legislation that protects and expands our ability to continue providing the best possible educational options to our 153,000 students. Key priorities include funding and support for our top four strategic initiatives: RACIAL EQUITY: Furthering the district’s efforts to level the academic playing field for Black students and English learners by increasing internet connectivity in underserved communities; expanding access to magnet and choice programs; conducting districtwide cultural intelligence training, increasing enrollment in pre-advanced placement courses and making course curriculums more culturally relevant. EARLY…