A discussion on a proposal to consolidate approximately 24 administrative departments into one building focused in on how such a consolidation could ultimately save the district money. Dallas ISD Chief Financial Officer Jim Terry said a consolidated administrative building would save money by not requiring the district to continue operating and maintaining multiple aging facilities. A consolidated administrative building would also allow Dallas ISD to generate substantial revenue by selling the district properties that would be vacated. “This is a smart long-term solution that would help us meet our ultimate goal: better serving our teachers, students, and families in Dallas…

Leslie Romero, a fourth-grade student in the dual-language program at Harrell Budd Elementary, has many reasons she is thankful to be bilingual and biliterate. For starters, she is able to help her Spanish-speaking parents when they need to translate or understand something in English. She also knows that being bilingual and biliterate will be useful when she looks to get a job down the road. But knowing two languages provided an extra bonus this month, as her essay titled “Why I’m Proud To Be Bilingual” won first place in the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) Essay contest for the…

Superintendent Michael Hinojosa and trustees said a demographic report showing a slight student enrollment decrease this year is a call to action to determine ways to bring families back to the district. The student enrollment in 2015–16 is 158,692, which is down from the 2014–15 student enrollment of 160,253. The largest enrollment drop—approximately 1,000 students—came on the kindergarten level. Hinojosa said the slight student enrollment decrease is a wake up call for anyone who believes the district can go about “business as usual.” “We must determine why students are leaving or not choosing to come to Dallas ISD, and we…