"So what just happened?"
My friend asked me this just after the Board voted to waive the reapplication requirement for 5th grade students in the Travis, Harry Stone, and Dealey magnet programs, and 8th grade students in the Irma L. Rangel program.
I told my friend (who is associated with one of the first three schools) "You got a one year waiver!"
"For what?"
"For re-application. Your sixth graders don't have to reapply this year. They get to stay. But it's only for one year - future policy hasn't been decided yet."
"We didn't ask for that! Rangel asked for that!" My friend was clearly irritated.
Huh?
I was confused - this was THE big topic at the affected four campuses when the policy of reapplication first took affect. Nobody I talked then to wanted that policy. Fast-forward a few years - has everyone really changed their opinion? I think it is more likely that the irritation comes from being surprised by big changes.
Jerome Garza mentioned in the meeting that he has been working for two years to get the reapplication policy changed. Perhaps in that two year interim, the constituents he was championing thought he had given up because the issue never made it to the monthly board meetings. I don't know, but it is another example of how the lack of effective communication channels undermines confidence in our representatives and in the system.
It also shows why more parents need to be sitting in on all the public board gatherings. PTA Board Nominations are coming up for everyone. Consider making "DISD Board Observation Delegate" as a new PTA Board position.
