Back Talk Far North Dallas

Around the web: Public education edition

A regular roundup of stuff that wouldn't necessarily make it on the blog, but is worth noting. Today, public education news -- and, apparently, the DISD isn't the only district with problems.

• The Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD fired its superintendent last week. Superintendent Annette Griffin was ousted after being arrested for drunk driving and then not reporting the arrest. Said one trustee: "It was not an easy decision for me in light of Dr. Griffin's significant contributions to the district over the last decade. But the superintendent must be a role model for the staff and the students. What has transpired was a breach of trust to the board and the community."

• In Lancaster, the board fired superintendent Larry Lewis Monday after he apparently withheld information from the board and tampered with members' mail. He may also have made loans with district money and spent $800,000 to hire employees who were not in the budget. Lewis' lawyer said his client had no knowledge of alleged loans and that there was no need for the superintendent to notify the board about hiring additional employees because there was money in the budget to pay for them.

• The Arlington ISD is on its third superintendent this year. Long-time superintendent Mac Bernd retired in January, and his replacement, Hector Montenegro, was forced to resign in July after questions arose about his dealings with nonprofits that did business with the district. Jerry McCullough has been interim superintendent since.

Technorati Tags: public education,schools,superintendent firings,Carrollton-Farmers Branch,Lancaster,Arlington

RISD board without Carol Kent

Now that Lake Highlands resident and Richardson ISD trustee Carol Kent has been elected as the District 102 state representative, it made me wonder what will happen to her seat on the board since the Texas Legislature's session starts in January, and RISD board elections don't take place until May.

I posed this question to Luke Davis, one of our Lake Highlands columnists and Kent's colleague on the board. Apparently, the board has some options. "Factors include the amount of time left in Carol's term whenever she resigns, and the amount of time before the next trustee election," Davis says. "Options include appointing a new trustee to serve in that seat, or leaving that place vacant until the May election."

This issue is on the board's Nov. 17 agenda; initial conversations may be in closed session, Davis says.

Westwood choir poinsettia sale

I know Halloween is still a week away, so it's way premature to be thinking about Christmas...but if you want to get a good deal on your holiday poinsettias, now's the time to put your order in with the Westwood choir. The plants go for $10 each, and they're available in red or white. All orders are being taken now through Monday, Nov. 4, and will be ready for pickup Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the school gym. If you'd like to place an order, just contact choir teacher Joel Price.

City council priorities: a curfew, a promoter and a trans-fat ban?

DMN city council reporter Dave Levinthal apparently spent some time at the city council's retreat this week, and he highlights a few ideas that council members are considering pushing later this year ... here's a sneak peak at what might come up during the next council term:

• "A daytime curfew for school-aged children in an effort to curb truancy," this idea courtesy of mayor pro tem Elba Garcia.

• Additional crime-monitoring cameras in troubled neighborhoods.

W.T. White homecoming parade: volunteers needed

The folks at W.T. White need a few good neighbors to pitch in and make their homecoming parade a success this Thursday, Oct. 9. The PTA there is looking for people who'd be willing to drive (or lend) their convertibles for the parade succession.  Parents are also looking for neighbors to help them set up the parade line up. They need about 8 volunteers to help corral and line up parade participants in the parking lot the day of the parade.
If you or one of your neighbors want to help the Longhorns, just contact Keith Bechly.

Dallas County Sheriff candidate forum next week

The League of Women Voters of Dallas, Irving and Richardson will host a forum for Dallas County Sheriff candidates on Tuesday, October 7.  The public event will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Preston Hollow Elementary School. The candidates are incumbent Lupe Valdez and Lowell Cannaday, the former Irving Police Chief. Channel 8 reporter Brad Watson will moderate the forum.
If you go, keep an eye out for Sandy Greyson. She's the new president of the League of Women Voters of Dallas--and she's the newest Advocate columnist. If you missed her first column, you can read it now online. And let me know your feedback on the piece--or better yet, if you see Sandy, tell her yourself.

Is pre-school really necessary?

I have two sons, 3 and 6 months, which means I've given a lot of thought to pre-K education lately. And though I'm probably opening myself up to criticism, here's the decision that my husband and I have come to: We're not going to send our boys to pre-school.

I tend to think there's quite a bit of "keeping up with the Joneses" that goes into what we do with our kids. My parenting philosophy is decidedly laid-back — when I was pregnant with my first, my parenting manual of choice was "The Three Martini Playdate," if that tells you anything. Side note: It's an excellent and hilarious book. You should totally read it.

But even given this, I feel a lot of pressure to send my sons to some name-recognized pre-school around here. And I won't deny that there's obviously benefits to it. So not enrolling them is not a decision we came to without deliberation, of course.

W.T. White Drug Awareness Forum

If you're a neighborhood parent with college-bound kids, you might want to consider attending a free forum this week at W.T. White High School. This Tuesday, Oct. 2, there will be a University & Drug Awareness Forum for parents at 4:30 p.m. If you're interested, plan on being there--and for more information, just call 972.502.6200.

Daily news roundup: Big Tex, Barefoot, toy guns and Warren Culbertson

If you're tired of reading about the big financial-system bailout, DISD screwups and how great the Dallas Cowboys look this year, check out these diversions in today's Dallas Morning News:

     • Remember the big city council vote in May 2007 to criminalize "displaying or brandishing a replica firearm in public? I don't remember it either, and apparently it's a law that even the police have forgotten about. Dave Levinthal reports that since the ordinance was passed, not a single ticket has been written for a violation — talk about your effective ordinance or your irrelevant one; take your pick. In the story, Levinthal asks councilman Angela Hunt: Was it all a big waste of time and resources? "Probably so," she says.

Westwood choir car wash this Saturday

There's no rain in the forecast, and if your car is as grimy as mine, it's time to hit up the car wash. If you're planning on getting your ride washed this weekend, consider stopping by Westwood on Saturday. That's where you'll find the choir kids scrubbing away for those donation dollars. Just look for the kids on Arapaho holding huge 'car wash' signs and flagging down traffic.