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.
3 May 2001
Public Hearings Set
The Dallas Independent School District has initiated the process of "redistricting" or redrawing district lines to conform to the results of the 2000 Census. This measure conforms with the U.S. Constitution which requires approximately equal populations in election districts of "representative" officials such as legislators, city council members, county commissioners and school trustees.
The Board of Education welcomes any comment relevant to the redistricting process. However, proposals must take into account the following guidelines:
Guidelines Set by the Board of Education
1. Redistricting proposals should be submitted in writing. If a plan is submitted orally, there is significant opportunity for misunderstanding, and it is possible that errors may be made in analyzing it. The Board wants to be sure that all proposals be fully and accurately considered. Citizens' cooperation in submitting plans in writing will be of great assistance.
2. Any plan should show the total population and voting age population for Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and Anglo/other for each proposed trustee district. If a plan is submitted without a population breakdown, the Board may not have sufficient information to give it full consideration.
3. Plans should be submitted by Friday, May 25, to Suzanne Davidson, DISD, 3700 Ross Avenue, Dallas Texas 75204. In order to meet the deadlines imposed by state and federal law, the Board's target date for adoption is Sept. 1.
4. Plans should redistrict the entire school district. The Board, of course, will be considering the effect of any plan on the entire school district. Also, the Dallas Independent School District is subject to the Voting Rights Act, which protects various racial and language minorities. Thus, as a matter of federal law, the Board will be required to consider the effect of any proposal on multiple racial and ethnic groups. If a plan does not redistrict the entire school district, it may be impossible for the board to assess its impact on one or more protected minority groups.
5. Plans should conform to the criteria the Board will be using in drawing the trustee districts.
All plans should conform to the criteria adopted by the board. The board may decline to consider any plan that is not complete.
Schedule of Public Hearings
Monday, May 14, 7 p.m., School Administration Building Auditorium, 3700 Ross Ave.
Thursday, May 17, 7 p.m., Spruce High School Auditorium, 9733 Old Seagoville Rd.
Monday, May 21, 7 p.m., Jefferson High School Auditorium, 4001 Walnut Hill Ln.
Tuesday, May 22, 7 p.m., Bryan Adams High School Auditorium, 2101 Millmar Dr.
Wednesday, May 23, 7 p.m., South Oak Cliff High School Cafeteria, 3601 S. Marsalis Ave.