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As the nation's eleventh largest school district, Dallas Independent School District serves more than 160,000 students who come from homes where 58 different languages are spoken.  Operating with a $1 billion dollar budget, DISD employs 18,613 employees including 10,000 teachers in 220 schools

Start Of Classes In Dallas Schools Goes By The Book

14 Aug 2000

First-day Enrollment Up by 822 Students

The first day of classes for 128,270 students in the Dallas Independent School District could not have been better. Somewhat anxious students were greeted by 10,300 teachers, approximately 100,050 lunches were served, and 700 school buses went about their routes without disruptions.

Overall, logistical problems were kept to a minimum contributing to the success of the day. “We have been in the business of educating children and running schools for quite some time,” said Interim General Superintendent Robert Payton. “Yet, the first day of classes is always an exciting one. The support of the community, our partners in education and the parents has contributed to a flawless first day of school. I have confidence in the work of our teachers and employees and I know this is an indication of how the year will progress.”

For Payton, the day started at 7:30 a.m. with a visit to DeGolyer Elementary School where principal Thelma Jones and 320 students greeted him. DeGolyer has been rated “exemplary” by the Texas Education Agency for the past two years. Later in the morning, Payton was welcomed by Harry Withers Elementary principal Veronica Pasternak. The school's enrollment is approximately 500 students. He later visited seven other schools throughout the district.

School administrators kept abreast of any possible concerns which may have affected the flow of the day thanks to a new feature implemented this year to ease the confusion—the Parent Hotline. District staff answered parents' questions from a command post located in the Administration Building. Questions regarding transportation, school hours, bus routes and required immunizations, were among the most-frequently asked. The Parent Hotline may be accessed by calling (972) 925-KIDS (5437) from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. August 14-15; and 7:30 a.m. until noon, August 16-18.

Among the day's other “firsts” was the opening of the William B. Travis Vanguard/Academy. The fourth- through eighth-grade program expands the existing TAG programs at Polk and Spence by 400 students. Also opening today was the E. D. Walker Science, Math and Technology Vanguard School. The 142,000 square foot building was renovated to accommodate 800 Pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade students in the North Dallas area.

Throughout the district, approximately 30 portable buildings were installed just in time for the start of classes. Construction of 57 additional portables has begun and will be completed in the next few months.

Students at Longfellow Middle School were excited to step foot into the new career technology lab— a 3,072-square-foot quad portable created to house the Longfellow Career Technology Education High Tech Laboratory. The twenty-five workstations will be used to teach family/consumer science (home economics), technology education, and math and science. The workstations incorporate state of the art computer capability with practical hands on demonstrations.

In addition, just last Saturday, Oracle Corporation employees, district staff and community volunteers installed donated hardware in 23 district schools. Oracle's donation of 1,150 New Internet Computers (NIC), 230 printers and hubs is part of the corporation's America's Promise Program—a $100 million commitment to provide computers and access to the internet to disadvantaged schools. Ten classrooms in each of these schools will receive five NICs, one printer, one hub and patch cables to connect to the District network.

Other facts:

• First day enrollment: 128,270 (up 822 from previous year)

• Number of teachers: 10,300

• Number of teacher vacancies: 152

• Bilingual teachers: 875

• Bilingual teachers still needed: 43