Newsletter

Fall Quarter

NEA-Dallas Board of Directors

President Delna Bryan
Vice President Sheila Walker
VP of Teacher Affairs Hope Lee
VP of DISD ESPs Carmen Behrend
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Secretary Vivian Bryant
GREETINGS DEAR NEA-DALLAS MEMBERS; Treasurer Angela Davis

Greetings for the first Fall Quarter Newsletter published by NEA-Dallas and
sent electronically as we move right along into the new era!
This is my second year on this journey with you. We are aboard the Midday
Express Train with 156,00 of the brightest and most gifted students that
we have in Dallas ISD. We embarked on a marvelous train ride a warm
August morning to start our travel along the highways and byways of all
the sectors of our great city: Dallas.
We say a big Welcome to the employees who came over to the new Dallas
ISD Transportation Service! It was a joy to see the painting on the buses
identifying them as part of our educational community. Thank you one and
all who took the leap from other districts to be with us as you transport our
students to our hallowed halls of instruction! Your smiling faces are the
first educators that our students see every morning, rain or shine on their
way to school. Yours are the last faces that they see every evening as you
take them safely back home. Thank you for the giving and sharing of
yourself to help all the students get to/and from school safely!
The train is moving along at a clip speed as it picks up momentum with the
first Six Weeks already in our history books. The grades are well recorded.
Now, we pause at the Texas State Fair stop for some entertainment. Oh,
the rides, the smell of those unique foods that we eat only at the fair once
a year, and the friends we meet there! What fun! Walking out of the fair to
the train station brings us even closer to realizing our dreams: that of
educating each and every one of them.
From there we hop back on to the coaches to continue the ride to the
successful education that we hope our students to have. The Midday
Express Train picks up speed once more for the celebrations of Día de los
Muertos, Halloween, and Thanksgiving! We wish each and everyone the
happiest of those celebrations with your loved ones.
Let us join hands in unity as educators one and all in this new experience
for the 2018-2019 school year. We will communicate and collaborate with
all of our friends via this exciting and innovative format of the new “look”
for our newsletters.
Best wishes to all!
Delna
Stockard Middle teacher is Region 10 Secondary Teacher of the Year
BY THE HUB ON AUGUST 27, 2018
The third time was a charm for Beth Poquette Drews.
Drews was a finalist for Dallas ISD Teacher of the Year three times, in 2013,
2017 and 2018, winning the honor this past year. But the accolades don’t
stop there.
She is the Region 10 Secondary Teacher of the Year, representing Dallas ISD
teachers and those from the 143 public, private and charter school districts
served by the regional organization.
“What I enjoy most about teaching is getting to be part of my students
lives as they grow up into young men and women,” Drews said. “I
especially like to hear about the accomplishments of my former students
and how their participation in Fine Arts classes influenced their careers and
their life.”
As a teacher in Dallas ISD for 17 years, this is her fifth year teaching at L.V.
Stockard Middle School, where she leads classes in mariachi, orchestra and
guitar for students in grades 6-8.
“Teaching is an incredibly challenging profession and every day the
talented teachers of North Texas surpass these challenges,” she said. “I am
honored to represent the teachers of Dallas ISD and Region 10 as their
Teacher of the Year.”
Drews’ husband Chris Drews is the music teacher at Leslie A. Stemmons
Elementary School, which is a special bond they share. “I like being able to
‘talk shop’ with Chris and he so understanding of all my performances with
my students,” she said. “He is a phenomenal teacher as well.”
https://thehub.dallasisd.org/2018/08/27/stockard-middle-teacher-is-region-
10-secondary-teacher-of-the-year/
SAVE THE DATES
Go to the Polls
Date
October 27, 2018
Time
10 am – 6 pm
Place:
Martin Luther King Recreation Center
2922 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Dallas, TX 75215

The NEA-Dallas October 2018 General Membership Meeting will be held at the
Go to the Polls event from 10 am – 12 pm at the Martin Luther King Recreation
Center. (Look for the NEA-Dallas Tent)

Be on the look out for the Winter Celebration being held in December 2018.
Date, time, and location to be determined
[REMINDERS]

10/4/18 DISD Board Briefing @ 11:30 am

10/8/18 Parent Conferences (Grades 9-12) NEA-Dallas www.NEADALLAS.com
10/9/18 Parent Conferences (Grades 6-8) 6500 Greenville Avenue, Suite 520 www.TSTA.org
Dallas, Texas 75206 www.NEA.org
10/11/18 Parent Conferences (Grades PreK – 5)
10/12/18 Elementary Fair Day Monday – Friday
8:30 am – 5:00 pm
10/18/18 DISD Board Meeting @ 6 pm Lunch Break 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
10/19/18 Secondary Fair Day [Closed Saturday, Sunday & all DISD holidays]
TSTA Help Center 1-877-ASK-TSTA
10/27/18 Go to the Polls & General Membership Meeting @ 10 am
Martin Luther King Recreation Center
2922 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Dallas, TX 75215
Janna Connolly Raya Staley
TSTA Staff Office Manager
(469) 952-7288 – cell (214) 821-2061
jannac@tsta.org officemanager@logixonline.com

NEA-Dallas neadallas1
11/1/18 DISD Board Briefing @ 11:30 am
TSTA Help Center
1-877-ASK-TSTA
11/10/18 NEA-Dallas General Membership Meeting @10 am
www.TSTA.org
11/15/18 DISD Board Meeting @ 6 pm
Vote Education First
11/19-23/18 NEA-DALLAS CLOSED
Thanksgiving Break
If we, as educators, do not cast our votes
11/29/18 DISD Board Briefing @ 11:30 am
based on a candidate’s position on education issues, who will?
Our votes – or our failure to vote - will decide what student
success and education policy look like today, tomorrow and in
the future. Here’s what’s at stake:
12/13/18 DISD Board Meeting @ 6 pm
• Better funding for public schools or state funds for
12/3-7/18 STAAR Testing private school vouchers
12/20/18 Student Holiday / Staff Development • Freedom to teach and learn or teaching to the test
12/21/18-1/4/19 Winter Break • Smaller class sizes or crowded classrooms
DISD & NEA-Dallas will be CLOSED • Professional pay and benefits or inadequate pay and
TSTA Help Center 1-877-ASK-TSTA insurance coverage
TBA NEA-Dallas Winter Celebration Elections have consequences. When you take the Vote Education
First pledge, you pledge to cast your votes based on which
candidate is best for students, educators and public education.
Together, we can determine the future of public education,
elevate our profession and provide every child the opportunity
to receive a quality education, but we have to vote education
first.
NEA Auto & Home Insurance Program
Brandon Watson – (512) 520-7248 To take the pledge, go
bwatson@calcas.com to: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/pledge2018
 Trustees approve $33 million in raises for teachers, support staff and
central staff
BY THE HUB ON AUGUST 23, 2018
The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees on Aug. 23 unanimously approved up to $33.3
million in salary increases for eligible teachers, campus leaders and non-
instructional staff.
The district is able to fund the salary increases after receiving higher-than-
expected revenue from property taxes.
The salary increases will go toward:
Employees that are eligible for salary modification TEI/Teachers: $16.1 million
(includes benefits)
• Eligible teachers at Progressing II and above based on their 2018-19
earned Effectiveness Level will receive the greater value of a 2-
percent salary increase or any earned Effectiveness Level change
• Performance Based Retention Increase – removed due to minimum
of 2-percent increases for eligible groups.
• A revised salary level for Progressing I from $51,000 to $52,000 to
align with the Novice Teacher introductory rate
• Eligible High School ROTC instructors will receive a salary increase of
2 percent
• For teachers new to Dallas ISD, placement on the 2018-19 modified
Teacher Introductory Compensation Schedule to ensure market
competitiveness
• All teacher salary changes will be reflected in the October 2018
paycheck
Principals and Assistant Principals: $3.9 million (includes benefits)
• For eligible employees evaluated under the Principal and/or Assistant
Principal Excellence Initiatives, the earned Effectiveness Level or the
modified Effectiveness Levels based on market adjustment (if
applicable)
• Implementation of an APEI and PEI salary schedule for Magnet
schools
• All Principals/Assistant Principals will receive the new compensation
in October 2018 check
All Eligible Non-Instructional, Operations, Counselors, Media Specialists, Central,
Technical, Non- TEI Instructional Support and Support Staff: $13.3 million
(includes benefits)
• For other eligible employees, the Board approved salary increase for
2018-2019 of 3 percent
• A revised hiring schedule for Media Specialist to align with updated
Teacher Introductory Compensation Schedule
• A revised salary schedule for Police Officers and Telecommunicators
to align with the 3% increase
• All Dallas ISD Transportation must be hired on or before August 23,
2018 to be eligible
• All other staff must be hired prior to December 31, 2017 to be eligible
for the increase
• All eligible monthly staff in this category will receive the new
compensation in September 15, 2018 paycheck
• All eligible bi-weekly staff in this category will receive the new
compensation in September 21, 2018 paycheck
https://thehub.dallasisd.org/2018/08/23/trustees-approve-33-million-in-raises-for-
teachers-support-staff-and-central-staff/
NEAMB Signature Discount
When you enroll in the AT&T Signature Discount program, through your
organization-and have a qualified wireless service agreement- you'll save on
your monthly service charge for qualifying plans.
As an AT&T Signature Discount member, you’ll receive:
• 15% off qualified wireless plans & services
• 20% off eligible wireless accessories
For more information and details go to the website listed below:
Union Member discounts available at www.att.com/wireless/NEAMB
Dallas ISD announces several interim leadership changes
BY GENE DAVIS ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
Dallas ISD officials announced on Friday several interim leadership changes to
ensure the district is positioned for continued significant progress.
The position of Deputy Superintendent, which had been held by Israel Cordero
prior to his resignation on Sept. 20, will become the Chief of Strategic Initiatives.
Brian Lusk, who has a long history of success in Dallas ISD and most recently
served as Dallas ISD Deputy Chief of School Leadership, will serve as Acting
Chief of Strategic Initiatives. Through this position, Lusk will supervise the Office
of Transformation and Innovation and the Collegiate Academies. Lusk will
report to the superintendent.
Meanwhile, Jolee Healy has been appointed to replace Lusk as Acting Deputy
Chief of School Leadership. Healey also has a long history of success in Dallas
ISD, most recently as the Dallas ISD Assistant Superintendent who oversees the
Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) Program. Healy in her new role will still
oversee the ACE program and LEAD.
The other interim leadership changes are:
• Healy will hire a new executive director to assist her with the ACE
program;
• Dr. Ivonne Durant, the Dallas ISD Chief Academic Officer, will now
report directly to Superintendent Michael Hinojosa and assume
responsibility for Title I and the Career and Technical Education
Department;
• Dallas ISD Chief of Staff Pam Lear will assume responsibility for the
Dallas ISD Government Relations Department;
• Dallas ISD Chief of Communications Toni Cordova will assume
responsibility for the Volunteers and Partnership Services
Department;
• Dallas ISD Chief of School Leadership Stephanie Elizalde will assume
responsibility for the Districtwide Advisory Committee.
https://thehub.dallasisd.org/2018/09/24/dallas-isd-announces-several-interim-
leadership-changes/
Trustees call for tax ratification election
BY GENE DAVIS ON AUGUST 16, 2018
The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees approved bringing a tax ratification election to
voters in November that, if approved, would fund strategic initiatives that
support students.
If approved by voters, the TRE would provide an additional $126 million every
year to support:
▪ Early Learning
▪ Racial Equity
▪ Schools of Choice
▪ Strategic Compensation
Election Day is Nov. 6, and Oct. 9 is the last day to register to vote in the
election.
What is a Tax Ratification Election (TRE)?
A TRE is a special election called by a school district’s board of trustees that asks
voters to approve an increase in its maintenance and operating (M&O) tax rate.
Since 2008, Dallas ISD has maintained an M&O tax rate of $1.04. The TRE would
increase the M&O tax rate by 13 cents to $1.17. This would raise property taxes
for the average homeowner—which is an $185,000 home—by $20 a month. The
TRE would not affect taxpayers 65 years or older or those who are disabled if
they have a frozen tax levy.
Of the 38 area districts in Dallas and Collin counties, 25 have passed a TRE. Since
2006, more than 500 Texas school districts have called a TRE.
District gains
Trustees approved bringing the TRE to voters one day after the Texas Education
Agency released accountability ratings showing that Dallas ISD is making
tremendous gains. The gains include:
▪ Dallas ISD is home to six out of 12 schools that received the highest
possible score of 99 on the 2018 STAAR.
▪ Dallas ISD achieved a steep decline in the number of Improvement
Required campuses, from 43 in 2013-2014 to four in 2017-2018.
▪ More Dallas ISD students are meeting state standard on the STAAR
exam, narrowing the gap between the district and the state:
▪ 2013-2014: 27% Dallas ISD; 39% State
▪ 2017-2018: 40% Dallas ISD; 47% State
https://thehub.dallasisd.org/2018/08/16/trustees-call-for-tax-ratification-election/
Dallas ISD, Toyota and SMU collaborate to support future STEM-
focused school in West Dallas
BY THE HUB ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD), Toyota USA Foundation and
SMU have joined together to collaborate on the creation of a new and
innovative STEM-focused school in west Dallas.
The aim is to inspire and prepare students for the next generation of STEM jobs
through curricula that is project-based and business-aligned.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our students and families of west Dallas
as this unique public private partnership comes together,” said Dallas ISD
Superintendent Michael Hinojosa. “STEM jobs are the wave of the future, and
Toyota and SMU’s contribution is a major investment in shaping the next
generation. This is a significant shift in education, and we’re grateful to these
incredible partners.”
Toyota USA Foundation is granting $2 million to SMU’s Annette Caldwell
Simmons School of Education and Human Development, which will develop
curricula, advise on state-of-the-art educational practices, provide professional
development for teachers, coordinate nonprofits operating in the area, and
monitor and evaluate the program. The future school will be operated and
staffed by the Dallas ISD. The Office of Transformation and Innovation will co-
facilitate the design of the school in collaboration with School Leadership.
The collaboration will also bring together nonprofits, including groups already
working with Dallas ISD through the SMU Simmons School program, The School
Zone, as well as Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Financial Services’
partners to address community issues like literacy, nutrition, transportation and
after–school care – each vital to creating successful outcomes for the
community.
“Collectively, our goal is to create a brighter future for students, help families
become more resilient, and create a community and school model that can be
replicated,” said Mike Goss, president of Toyota USA Foundation. “We want to
help increase access to opportunity, connecting students to the millions of
STEM jobs that exist today, and the many more that will be created as industry
advances.”
This partnership developed as a result of numerous requests from the
community for STEM offerings within the Pinkston High School feeder pattern.
“This partnership advances our efforts currently underway in west Dallas, with a
holistic approach that lifts the community and provides opportunity for
students,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “Evidence-based education is
the foundation for everything we do in the Simmons School, and we look
forward to the opportunity to provide resources and research that underscore
the success of the school.”
Following an inclusive planning phase, the next two academic years will focus
on curriculum and professional development for faculty.
“Everything is still on the table, including decisions about curricula and which
wrap-around services will be provided through the school by community
partners,” said SMU Simmons School Dean Stephanie L. Knight. “This
announcement is meant to let all the stakeholders, parents included, know that
we want their input at every level as we move forward.”
The school will begin a phased opening beginning fall 2021.
https://thehub.dallasisd.org/2018/09/07/dallas-isd-toyota-and-smu-collaborate-
to-support-future-stem-focused-school-in-west-dallas/
Here are some other education issues to remember on Election Day
BY TSTA IN THE FALL 2018 ADVOCATE
• Healthcare – Rising insurance premiums continue to erode educator
paychecks and retirees’ pensions. TSTA has endorsed candidates who will
work to relieve those costs.
• Pensions – Market conditions recently required the Teacher Retirement
System Board of Trustees to lower the assumed rate of return on the
educators’ pension fund. This means the Legislature will raise contributions.
Will educator-members take a large hit, or will the state increase its share?
When will retirees get another cost of living adjustment? And will efforts to
replace the TRS defined-benefit pension with a risky defined-contribution,
401(k)-style plan be successful? Answers to those questions will depend on
who is elected Nov. 6.
• Dues deductions – Another effort will be made to repeal the right of
educators and other public employees to have their membership dues in
TSTA and other organizations automatically deducted from their pay. The
Senate has approved previous efforts, but TSTA and other employee
groups have killed the bill in the House. What happens to the bill next year
also will depend on election results.
• Teacher turnover, moonlighting, and school supplies – About half of
beginning teachers leave the profession within five years, primarily
because of low pay. Four of every 10 teachers who stick it out will be
moonlighting during this school year to make ends meet, according to
TSTA’s updated Teacher Moonlighting and Morale Survey. And Texas
teachers, on average, are spending $738 a year on classroom supplies for
which they are not reimbursed.
• A-F school grading system – Only school districts got A-F letter grades
this year under the state’s new accountability system. Predictably, the
wealthiest districts got the best grades while districts with large numbers
of low-income students got most of the Ds and Fs. TSTA believes that also
will happen next year when individual campuses are assigned letter grades
for the first time. TSTA will continue fighting in next year’s legislative
session to get the law changed. The grades are largely determined by
STAAR test scores, which are an incomplete and misleading way to
measure student success. And as Noel Candelaria pointed out, the A-F
system was “designed by the governor and the legislative majority to pass
the blame for their own (school funding) failures to children and
educators.”
Elected leaders can address these issues and strengthen public schools, but
only if educators elect pro-public education leaders.
Vote Education First!
https://indd.adobe.com/view/94846a94-8563-441e-994a-84cceeb90e3a

New principal selection process to attract, prepare, develop and

retain the best educators
BY THE HUB ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2018
Dallas ISD School Leadership has developed a new principal pipeline strategy
focused on attracting, preparing, developing and retaining the best educators.
Coordinating with internal and external partners, the Leader Excellence,
Advancement and Development program, or LEAD, will spearhead several key
initiatives for the district. LEAD’s first initiative this year is to revise the principal
selection process, ensuring the highest quality leaders and best-fit candidates
for all schools will be identified and selected. This new process launched on
Sept. 1.
https://thehub.dallasisd.org/2018/09/04/new-principal-selection-process-to-
attract-prepare-develop-and-retain-the-best-educators/