DISD Latest News
IN OUR SCHOOLS
Nancy Bingham, DISD -District 4 Trustee
2008 Bond Program Changes the Landscape in Dallas ISD
The 2008 Bond Program will provide the school children of Dallas facilities that meet the needs of a 21st century education. Many of the district’s schools are more than 50 years old and do not meet the educational needs of today. This extensive project is well underway with architects and program management firms nearing completion of many design projects and a substantial amount of the land acquisition.
Phase I of the program is targeted to be complete before classes begin in August 2011. It includes the construction of five new schools. The former B.F. Darrell Elementary School is being redesigned, renovated and remodeled for its new designation as the district’s first all boys school.
Two other schools being substantially renovated and expanded are former Wilmer- Hutchins district campuses that have been vacant for several years. In order to better serve the students and families in that community, Wilmer-Hutchins High School and Kennedy-Curry Middle School will undergo a true transformation.
Phase I also includes additions or expansions to six schools and renovations at an additional 73 schools. Phase II is targeted to be complete by the summer of 2012. This phase includes the construction of six new schools; additions or expansions at four schools; and renovations at an additional 75 schools. Phase III, due to begin in early 2011, will include three new schools; additions or expansions at five schools; and renovations at an additional 56 schools.
On completion, the 2008 Bond Program will provide 14 new schools (five of which will be in District 4), including eight elementary schools, four middle schools, and two high schools. Twelve existing schools will receive additions to provide 177 new classrooms. More than 200 schools will be renovated, including 19 science labs at six existing secondary schools; kitchen renovations at 16 schools; and expansion of lunchrooms at 22 campuses.
The program includes updating classroom and lab computers, campus supporting infrastructure and interactive student technology as well as classroom presentation devices. The district’s regional sports complexes will be refurbished as part of the program.
Just last month the district broke ground on the first two new schools to be built. Ebby Halliday Elementary School, located here in District 4 at 10210 Teagarden Lane, will provide relief for Nancy Moseley and Richard Lagow elementary schools. George Herbert Walker Bush Elementary School will provide relief for Anne Frank, Tom Gooch, and Jerry Junkins elementary schools. The school will be located at 3939 Spring Valley Road.
Plans are well underway for the construction of four additional District 4 schools: Ann Richards and Balch Springs middle schools are slated to begin construction January 2011, and Seagoville North and Adelfa Cajello elementary schools are scheduled to begin construction early spring 2011.
Other news in District 4:
Hats off to students at Nathaniel Hawthorne and Urban Park elementary schools for participating in the Common Cents campaign, a student-led coin collection effort designed to raise money for charity and non-profit organizations while encouraging good citizenship and social responsibility in students. Dallas ISD students from 40 schools participated in the campaign and raised more than $49,000 for 24 charity and non-profit organizations. The American Red Cross, Children’s Medical Center, and the Lymphoma Society are just a few of the organizations receiving donations.
Congratulations to the students and staff at Julius Dorsey Elementary School for being recognized as a distinguished school by the TEA’s Division of the NCLB Program Coordination. Schools making the list are Title 1 campuses that have made significant progress over the last three years and are currently rated exemplary by the state. Keep up the good work, and thanks for making Dallas ISD proud.
As always, I look forward to continuing to update you on events and activities taking place in Southeast Dallas, Pleasant Grove, Balch Springs and Seagoville schools. It is a pleasure to serve you. Your comments and suggestions are welcome at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (972) 925-3165.
