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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.

PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY OFFERS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND A DAY IN A DALLAS PUBLIC SCHOOL

5 Oct 2000

Local business and community leaders will set aside their regular jobs for a day to take the reigns of a Dallas Public School. More than 70 volunteers have accepted an invitation to become Principal for a Day Wednesday, October 11.

The event, which is in its third year, hopes to raise awareness and understanding among private sector individuals of public schools' strengths and challenges. The day’s agenda may include meetings with the principal and faculty. Participants also may chose to teach a class, read to students or address an assembly. Furthermore, Principals for a Day are encouraged to share ideas and learn about the operations of a school.

"Principal for a Day contributes to create meaningful relationships between schools and individuals," said Interim General Superintendent Robert Payton. "We are encouraged by the fact that many of last year’s participants have asked to participate again this year. Interest in the event has prompted us to schedule a second Principal for a Day event in January."

Some of this year’s participants include, U.S. Senator Martin Frost, U.S. Representative Pete Sessions, Texas House Representative Domingo Garcia, Dallas Black Chamber President Reginald Gates, U.S. Attorney Paul Coggins, Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Business Development Council President Margo Posey.

A reception for Principals for a Day participants with Interim General Superintendent Robert Payton and Superintendent for the Hour, The Dallas Morning News columnist Steve Blow, will be held at 3:30 p.m. at the Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St. A list of Principal for a Day participants and the school in which they will volunteer is attached.

Several community and city leaders, including, Reginald Gates, president—Dallas Black Chamber, U.S. Attorney Paul Coggins, and Michelle Bobadilla, from University of Texas at Arlington, will have an opportunity to become Principals for a Day.

The event offers business and civic leaders an opportunity to set aside their regular jobs for a day to take the reigns of a Dallas Public School. Approximately 200 participants have volunteered which hopes to raise awareness and understanding among private sector individuals of public schools' strengths and challenges.

"Principal for a Day will contribute to create meaningful relationships between schools and individuals that will continue to develop long after the day has ended," said General Superintendent Waldemar Rojas.

A reception for Principals for a Day participants with General Superintendent Rojas will be held at 3:45 p.m. in the auditorium of the School Administration Building, 3700 Ross Avenue. Some other participants in Principal for a Day and the school in which they will volunteer include: 

•School assignments are subject to change