Seven-year-old Cindy Gonzalez Gomez received a star's welcome, complete with limo ride, cheering crowd and a throng of news photographers, upon her arrival Friday morning at Pershing Elementary School in Northwest Dallas.
The decision to rein in finances, which came as a surprise to many, follows a series of high-dollar expenditures in fiscal 2013 that included the opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Library, a change in the school's athletic conference, consulting fees for a branding study to boost the school's national reputation and 3 percent salary increases, according to a recent ratings update from Moody's Investors Service.
Some teachers and parents have expressed concerns about the new format, but the superintendent cautions against making alterations in the middle of the school year.
Several local colleges and nonprofits participated in a White House summit to promote college opportunity.
Mike Rawlings is sometimes called the education mayor for his efforts to improve and promote the Dallas Independent School District. On Thursday he said Texas lawmakers should spend much of the 2015 legislative session on public education.
Dallas ISD parents and teachers have rallied in recent months against new tests the district requires elementary-school students to take in art, band and physical education.
The free summit will celebrate 800 teachers with a line-up of speakers and performers to cheer them on as they begin the second half of the school year.
This is the Obama administration’s second event focused on college opportunity. Richland and Paul Quinn are among those participating.
They say they agree with parents and teachers who complained that new exams create stress and take time away from learning.
Search consultants are expected to finalize an application form by Friday, and candidates could be interviewed by late February.
