28 Oct 2002
Trustees Appoint Nine Citizens to Provide Input on Bond Projects
DALLAS–The Board of Trustees of the Dallas Independent School District has formed a citizen's advisory committee to support the implementation of the district's bond program.
The committee, comprised of nine citizens, was formed as one means of keeping open lines of communication between the district and the community as construction projects move forward. District officials and the bond program construction manager will regularly brief the committee on the progress of the construction projects funded by the $1.37 billion bond proposal approved by citizens in January. The bond proposal, approved by a margin of 75.45 percent of voters, calls for the construction of 20 new schools, additions to 36 schools and a long list of renovations.
Deputy Superintendent for Business Services, Larry Groppel, said the committee will provide input and help the district supply information to citizens on an ongoing basis.
"From the outset of this effort, the district realized members of the community would have questions and concerns about the planned improvements," Groppel said. "Our goal is to retain and build on the trust and goodwill the community showed by passing the bond proposal by such a large margin."
Members of the committee, appointed by the DISD Board of Trustees, are:
Scott Chase, an attorney in private practice, serves on the City of Dallas Board of Adjustment and chairs a public issues group known as The Dallas 40. Chase is the appointee of District 7 Trustee Rafael Anchia.
W. Richard Evarts, a mediator for his company Solutions with Consensus, is involved in the Kairos prison ministry program and volunteers at area nursing homes. Evarts is the appointee of District 3 Trustee Lois Parrott.
Joyce Foreman, owner of Foreman Office Products, is a member of the State Fair of Texas' Chairman's Task Force, Dallas Together Forum and the DISD Advisory Group District 6. Foreman is the appointee of District 6 Trustee Hollis Brashear.
Mike Gelhausen, a former software corporation CEO, serves on the Board of Directors of the Vickery Meadow Learning Center, is a partner with Dallas Social Venture Partners and a member of the Texas Computer Education Association. Gelhausen is the appointee of District 1 Trustee Ken Zornes.
Welton Haynes, a retired DISD administrator, is a member of the Board of Directors of Save Open Space and the Trinity River Development Project. Haynes is the appointee of District 5 Trustee Lew Blackburn.
Henry "Hank" Lawson, executive director, Southfair Community Development Corporation, serves as chair of South Dallas Weed and Feed. He is a member of the Mayor's Task Force on Affordable Workforce Housing and the Dallas Affordable Housing Coalition. Lawson is the appointee of District 9 Trustee Ron Price.
David Petruska, a partner with the law firm Andrews & Kurth, is a Vietnam veteran who volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and other organizations that help create affordable housing. Petruska is the appointee of District 2 Trustee Jack Lowe.
John Scovell, chairman and CEO of Woodbine Development Corporation, is chairman of the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau Expansion Committee, member of the Communities Foundation of Texas Advisory Council and the State Fair of Texas Board of Directors. Scovell is the appointee of District 4 Trustee George Williams.
Pete Vaca, an adjunct professor at North Lake College and a mediator-trainer and parenting instructor, is a board member of the East Dallas Community Organization, a group that promotes affordable housing in east Dallas, and a member of the advisory board of the East Dallas Health Clinic. Vaca is the appointee of District 8 Trustee Joe May.