Editor’s note: People from the Booker T. community informed us the district would host a meeting on Wednesday night, March 4, to address parent concerns. Since Keri Mitchell could not be present, Advocate editor Rachel Stone agreed to attend and record the meeting.
We wanted to include comments and the overall context of the meeting in a follow-up story about the new residency verification procedures for Dallas ISD magnet schools, which took effect for the 2019-20 freshmen class and are in place for those who recently applied and will be admitted in fall 2020. We decided to publish the full transcript and audio of the meeting, to help ensure transparency.
Brian Lusk, Dallas ISD chief of strategic initiatives: Our efforts, and part of what you need to hear tonight, is we have no intentions of removing your students. What we do know is this: We know that 99% of parents and students applied to this school and got in legitimately, and there’s a lot of noise the media has created that we’re not in favor of. Ultimately, we want students to be here, to stay here. Our goal is not to remove students.
I mean, if you think about it, so let’s say a student, the big, the big issue is students come from outside the district in some cases, right? Some people see that as a problem, but as our superintendent shared this morning, we as a district also look at recapture. “Recapture” means we’re pulling students in who were not in our district. We use two terms in Dallas ISD from a recapture perspective. “Recapture,” which is students who live in Dallas ISD are not going to our school because for some reason or another they don’t see them as viable. Right? Or No. 2, “recapture plus,” students who live outside of Dallas ISD who are not coming to Dallas ISD but now come to Dallas ISD. In either case, funding follows a student. So we have a vested interest in keeping our students. So our efforts, contrary to what you hear out there, our efforts are not about removing students.
Now there are some situations where maybe some information has been falsified, maybe? Probably so, right? But we’re not going to go hunting for our students and say, where does this exist? OK. And you probably heard about residency verification process. How many have heard that? Yeah. And let me address that as well, but I’m thinking I should address all the … that are out there. There is a process. So, now let me say a few things. I’m going to echo. Our goal is not to remove students, No. 1. No. 2, if we need to look into some residency concerns, and maybe because we find evidence of, parents didn’t actually provide us with the right residency verification or those falsified, if you will, it’s going to be so far, one-off situations — we’re not out hunting for that. If that happens, then we’re going to ask parents, “Hey, just provide us another means of residency.” We’re not out looking for that, and that’s as simple as it’s going to be.
Some of the other negative pieces that you may have heard from the media — that’s not what we’re after. We’re after, a lot of our kids come to school every day, having to get a great education, be comfortable and not look over your shoulder on a daily basis because of some of the noise. Um, let me just share a few other things, and I would just say this: A few weeks ago, I think it was on a Friday afternoon, [DISD Deputy Chief of Transformation and Innovation] Angie Gaylord and I, when some of this negative attention showed up in the media, we actually showed up at [Principal] Dr. [Scott] Rudes’ door, didn’t we, Dr. Rudes? And we didn’t show up to say, “Hey, we have a problem with what you’re doing.” We actually said, “Can we shut the door? Can we sit down? We want to talk about how we can help you.” And I’m not going to ask him to get into the details of that, but I guess what I want to say to you is, while we didn’t publicly do some of what we probably should have done to address the narrative from the other side of the media, I think there was a hand out of support that he saw and he continues to see from us, which would be the case because we know he’s doing great work here. Our kids are happy here and getting what they need as young musicians or young artists, I should say. And so that that won’t change and it should not change.
Just a few other points I want to make, and I just took a few notes because I want to make sure I cover some of the high points. You know, I think the reality is this: There could be somebody here from the media right now taking notes, right? And so be it, I’m going to speak candidly. I’ve shot straight with you, and I’m going to continue to shoot straight. The reality is this: It’s likely that we’re going to continue to hear noise out there from the media because that’s what sells papers, right? Um, but I would say that as a district, we’re not changing our standards. We are going to keep our students in our schools. We’re not out looking to remove students. We’re focused on the well-being of our students, and whether the media tries to say other things with this next group of acceptances — ’cause you know, right now, more letters are, you know, getting ready to go out or have just gone out, right? So what do you know, there’s probably gonna be some more students who might be out of the district that are going to get in. Guess what? So what, that’s the way it is. Um, when you have a great product, people want, people want that product. And if that happens, so be it. I mean, we want to, we want as a system, great opportunities for kids in Dallas ISD to be able to compete and earn these spots, right, and get these spots and we’ll continue to do that. We’ll continue to build the arts, but if at times students get in from out of district, we’re not going to change our position on that. We’re gonna support our students.
So with that, I want to pause and then I’m gonna open up room for questions or comments or concerns because I also know that there was a lot of questions probably still I haven’t gotten to. I’ll start here, then I’ll go there. Yes, ma’am.
Parent 1: Thank you and congratulations on a very thorough job. I appreciate that. But I did want to think if it’s possible for us to see in print, in the media from you, something sharing what you just did because, um, uh, a couple of things. Firstly, um, everyone in the world has seen that, and they haven’t seen what you said and, you know, humans, we’re swayed by what we hear, and so it would be nice if we can see that the world sees what you just said.
Lusk: Can somebody grab some notes, so, thank you. I didn’t mean to interrupt …
Parent 1: That’s OK, I appreciate that you’re …
Angie Gaylord, Dallas ISD deputy chief of transformation and innovation: You’re meaning from the district level, right?
Parent 1: Yes.
Gaylord: I didn’t know if you meant from the media level.
Lusk: To share our position of how we’re going to serve our students and be OK with everything.
Parent 1: The country, humans, are run right now by what they see, and the triggers, and my daughter is in the middle of waiting to see on April 1 when she gets in. Of course, everyone is going to go look and see and, you know what, they may or may not be swayed, but why do we need that? Maybe let’s have solid backup from those in charge that say, “Hey, this is where we stand and this is the real deal.” We would really appreciate that.
Lusk: OK. Sounds great.
Parent 2: Mine is kind of to piggyback on hers, I mean, you came here and you talked to a small population of our students, not all of our students. I think you just had student leadership. Yes, ma’am. And so you came here and said the things to our students, you said things to our staff, but the public has a very different perspective of what’s going on here behind these doors, and that needs to change. And the only way that’s going to get changed if another article goes out where the district says, “Here’s what’s really happening at Booker T.” You know, the thing is, is you have in upper level management [DISD Chief of School Leadership Stephanie] Elizalde, who’s publicly said in the news article that this school was an embarrassment in the district, and she actually has a stepdaughter here at the school, and for her to be upper management in the district and say that she is publicly embarrassed by us, something needs to be retracted, and there needs to be something from the district in the media that says we’re not an embarrassment.
Lusk: Let me just say, absolutely not, this school is phenomenal. We are proud of what’s happening in this school for years, and for years to come we’ll be proud of it. So we’re not embarrassed. I don’t — I’m sorry that, that, that did come out because I don’t, I don’t, I don’t think that was the intent. You’re right. Words matter, right? So we’re proud of what’s happening here and I appreciate your thoughts. Thank you for sharing. Yes, ma’am.
Parent 3: So I guess I hear what you’re saying is that people, students, are allowed from out of district, correct?
Lusk: Yes. Yes. We have a policy. The EHBJ. Exactly.
Parent 3: OK. So I have two daughters here. I have a senior and a sophomore, she’ll be a junior next year. So we lived in Dallas, got in the appropriate way, whatever, or if we live, you know, anyway, so. Sure. This year, right in the midst of all this, my husband took a police chief position in Garland. We moved to Garland. So now we’re out of district. So I had to fill out paperwork. My kids are freaking out. Then all this — not a word.
Lusk: Let me say this, too. Thank you for sharing that.
Parent 3: Nobody said anything to me, so —
Lusk: Let me respond to that, if I can. I think our superintendent was clear this morning as well, so I want to echo some of his, some of his comments. Perfect example — if a student gets in legitimately. Your children did. Right? But legitimately is also out of district. And I think that’s what some people need to know, but yes, absolutely. And you’re right, I think when I say legitimately, I’m trying to qualify from somebody who may falsify records. Right? So your child legitimately gets in, happens to be in-district, but still legitimate. Right? You move, we’re not making a move to make a change for you, so your child will stay in this school. So just to clear the air, if a child gets in and he or she as a family has to move, we’re not going to create a hardship for a family because they move. They will remain in the school.
Parent 3: OK. I guess that the point of all of that is nothing is said about that. Like with these articles, it would be shut down in the media if it was, “Hey, kids can come to Booker T. from out of district — period.” That would shut a lot of this down.
Lusk: Yeah, and they surely can because they can qualify just like any other student can, and it’s about, in the end, we follow policy. And after that, if the students get in, they get in. Yes.
Robyn Harris, Dallas ISD public information officer: While this is their meeting, I’m just here to support.
Lusk: Robyn Harris, communications.
Harris: Sure. My name is Robyn Harris. I’m in communications with Dallas ISD. Good evening. Um, and, and I will say that I understand and can echo exactly what Dr. Lusk has shared. We have been on many interviews and calls personally, where I, words have literally come out of my mouth to explain that exact same scenario. And I’ve, as recent as, I don’t know if she’s in the room right now, but as recent as last week, have had very lengthy conversations with Keri Mitchell, as an example. Um, I’ve had some conversations with other reporters as well, and that has actually been shared multiple times. We have emphasized it, overemphasized it, and emphasized it again myself. It’s not coming out. It is not being written. And so I do understand and empathize with everyone’s concerns. Even as a, like last week when you showed up and a number of your counterparts came, I can assure you that is exactly what we’ve said and have been saying so from Dr. Lusk’s office on down, all the way to the magnet office, and have had some, you know, discussions about why that’s not being the narrative. And there’s still a sense that on the, on another end that there are people who are still saying, “Oh, well you may have a good intention, you made me well intended, but we’re hearing other things.” And so we cannot, we can do so much. We cannot come back when someone wants to purposefully place out and, and share. So we’re still looking at other alternatives and ways to, um, to speak and kind of appeal. And I think last week we did probably on Friday, I would say we did reach a point where they were, there was some understanding, but that’s still going to come. So it hasn’t come quick enough. I will tell you, those words have come out of my mouth many times. And for whatever reason they are not also being published.
Parent 4: Well, I mean, Booker T. is a choice school.
Audience: It’s a magnet school.
Parent 4: Well, I have a big ol’ sticker from the ISD, I wish I brought with me that says, Booker T. Washington, choice school. The choice schools all over the metroplex get 30%. Why would that policy — if it’s not effective at Booker T., why would we not make it a policy? Then this gets rid of all that … I have a kid in the district. I live at [address] in Dallas, Texas. My kid’s stuff is in her room. So — she’s on her way out the door. So I don’t even have a vested interest other than this is the place that my kid’s lived in thrived, and it saved my son’s life. And so for y’all to be killing these kids right now, it’s, it’s terrible. And I don’t understand why we can’t have the 30% choice that everybody else has, that you can have 30% out of district.
Tiffany Huitt, DISD executive director of magnet schools: It’s about policy and communication, right? So we want to make sure that the policies are fair and equal across the schools, choice and magnet. And then we get to that percentage that we all know what we’re working towards. But then communication, you know, all the way down to the details of, it is OK for a resident to have a residence in Dallas and have a residence somewhere else. That was verbally said in September, but we don’t have that documented anywhere. And that’s some of the stuff that comes up in the media, that that’s not allowable, but it is allowable if you’re paying taxes and have a home. So we get some of that communication documentation in policy.
Lusk: I appreciate that. Thank you for sharing.
Parent 5: And it kind of goes with hers, and yours now, too. When we applied, my daughter lived 40% with her dad, who lives in Dallas. We own a home in Rockwall. She applies, she gets accepted. Right? We submitted her dad’s paperwork to the registrar. Well, the first week of school we start hearing about, oh, they’re going to start searching homes, they’re going to come through like the Nazis looking for [laughter]. So that scared me. So we literally sold our home in Rockwall and now we live in Dallas because she only stayed with her dad Friday, Saturday, Sunday. She wasn’t with him during the school year. So I’m like you, Ms. Garland, I feel that that was the message that was reverberated. We had whole meetings about this. And we was like, that’s crazy. So I’m telling you that’s what we did because the message is so strong, that literally y’all kind of [?] kids away. That was the first thing. The second — there’s a Facebook page, I don’t remember the name of it. There’s a Facebook page that talks about how horrible Booker T. Is with all the kids that are in from out of district.
Audience: Reform Dallas
Parent 5: Somebody texted me and was like, did your daughter tell somebody that she went to Rockwall last year? Cause this one, everything about your, it sounds like your kid. So I call my kid. I’m like, you stay, she’s about to break down crying. “Mama, I’m going to get put out of school.” And I’m like, “[daughter’s name], no.” But these are adults, right? So it almost took me to go on there and say, “Excuse me, you don’t know that her Daddy lives in Dallas.” I was like, I’m not even gonna respond to that. So that’s the second thing. The third thing was, look, you’re not going to do what you’re saying you’re doing. If I presented paperwork and she lived with her dad in August, why did I just have to present again where she lived if that paperwork is sufficient?
Audience: Applause
Lusk: I think that’s a fair question, and I want to say, too, I think clarity, maybe we weren’t fully clear, if you applied in Dallas ISD and you got into Booker T. and you move, that’s not going to be a problem. I’m sorry that happened to you …
Parent 5: Well, we moved already now.
Audience: Laughter
Parent 5: I’m not trying to be funny but it’s a lot of us that got scared. This is a prestigious school and now if she gets put out she’d have to go to Adamson and that school sucks.
Crowd: Laughter
Parent 6: I don’t mean to keep on the same train but we are in the same boat. I have a sophomore and a senior. My son is home freaking out right now that I’m even here asking. He’s afraid that my job is not anywhere near here and I’m the single worker in the household. He’s afraid if we move that he’s going to get harassed by other students, harassed by parents, not want to have people over. If it’s absolutely OK when life circumstances change, that needs to be in writing because I’m not even comfortable signing a new lease right now, not knowing in the fall, are you going to say, “Oh, that actually wasn’t exactly clear, you must have misunderstood.” So I want to see in writing what you just said about, if you’re renting in Garland, and I want to, I want, I want a comfort that if, if we end up, by the way, finding rentals in DISD is not easy. They’re expensive. We moved from England. We are paying more in DISD. I won’t go there, but looking for a new property right now, it is not easy.
Lusk: Well, we have — Robyn is noting for communications — we also have an FAQ page. What we’ll do is we’ll take, we’re taking notes, we’ll make sure that the pieces that need to be communicated here this evening are communicated not just to the community, but the broader community. We’ll find ways to do that, that hit a broader swath of people.
Parent 7: I think the biggest concern that all of us parents have is our kids’ well-being and their state of mind. I mean, they’re in a rigorous school; they’re in a competitive environment; they already have enough stress to be wondering, am I going to get put out of school? Because you know, your job changed or we moved or what have you, and it’s just not fair to the students.
Lusk: No, that’s fair, um, and I think that’s precisely why our superintendent came to the school this morning because he, we know the great work and history and what’s happening here, and we want to really just let the whole building exhale. That’s what I said to somebody. I think Dr. Rudes walked up here and I said, you know what? The intent of what happened this morning with the superintendent and speaking with the staff, and I think the staff will appreciate it, speaking with student leaders as noted, and then of course, coming here this evening: Our goal is to let you exhale, let our students exhale, let the staff exhale, and get back to focusing on the business that they came for. Right? So, um, that, that’s our intent and what you’re hearing from me this evening and from the superintendent this morning, we’ll also communicate more effectively. So, uh, let, let us try to help them do better.
Scott Rudes, Booker T. principal: I’ve just heard something come up a couple of times and I want to address it. Um, I met with all of the students last week in their conservatories and I gave them this message: Every student on this campus belongs here. And so I really want that to resonate with everyone because everybody needed to exhale last week because we all knew what we were going through in the maelstrom than it was. But every student that’s on this campus belongs, and they need to hear that. And I know that it’s still continuing out there and there’s still fear. But I just wanted to let you know as leader of the school that I’m going to continue to perpetuate that message to our kids, to let them know this is a safe place and that this type of behavior that we’re hearing about, about parents, other students that I’ve been hearing about — that doesn’t have a place here.
Parent 8: I have two students here currently. I also have a child who auditioned to come here in fall of 2020. Every other magnet school in Dallas, letters have gone out except Booker T. Washington’s. You’ve got 13- and 14-year-olds, eighth-grade students, who now, I know it’s not a big deal when you, when you get to our age in life, whether you got into the high school or not you wanted. At this point in her life, these kids are a mess, and all of their peers who applied to other magnet schools have gotten their letters. What is the answer? What is DISD’s answer? And I’ve been told by Booker T. that Booker T. is not allowed to release them yet. Because it’s at DISD’s level. So what’s the answer to that?
Lusk: Dr. Rudes received them today, actually. Dr. Rudes, you want to speak to that?
Rudes: I received them today. [audience laughter] I received them this evening and the letters are going out tomorrow.
Parent 8: Here’s the thing — DISD, you’re fighting against yourself because Woodrow IB, my husband and daughter are at the Woodrow IB meeting right now where she’s signing her next four years away. Even though Booker T. Is her first choice, because Woodrow IB says, if you don’t show up tonight and sign, then you lose your spot. So DISD is contradicting themselves and it is frustrating.
Lusk: That’s not a good position. And we’ll look into it —
Parent 8: And that is a Woodrow IB thing, and I hope y’all deal with it. I’ve been trying to get in touch with someone at DISD all week, and I don’t get phone calls back.
Lusk: Well, I will say this. That’s not what we want and expect of our schools. ‘Cause we don’t want to pit one school against the other. That’s not healthy. Right? So, duly noted —
Parent 8: And I apologize, I’m hot. I love this school. It is a great school, but it’s not fair to do to these kids, like you’re talking about. It’s these kids, they’re hurting.
Lusk: It doesn’t matter whether you’re applying to college or you’re applying to a choice school or a magnet, right? You want to know because it matters, right? Cause we know when kids choose a school that they want to go to, and parents support it, it’ll be more successful.
Parent 8: Why did the letters not go? Why is Booker T. five days after every other magnet?
Lusk: So we basically, Ms. Gaylord’s office, and actually, Keisha has been great. She actually led the process, of course, this year, as far as the distribution. It wasn’t a Booker T one-off situation. We had other schools that went out today as well. So they all went out today, the last sort of group of them. So it wasn’t about a particular school, it was about just waves of acceptance letters. It’s a big process. And so they all went out today. Sir?
Parent 9: Dr. Lusk, the comments made about the issue of the environment here at Booker T. — I’m a parent of a current Booker T. student and a parent of two graduates. A DISD lifer. This, you know, when this came up is a safety and security issue. You want to get on top of, you know, calming down or addressing the fear — DISD needs to send out a press release tomorrow saying we disavow, we do not endorse Government Crimestoppers and put an end to, just, just that alone to say we are not going to pay or somebody’s snitching on someone who may or may not have broken DISD policy. You know, there are places for, you know, rewards about information about illegal activity, but this isn’t illegal activity. This is DISD policy. And you’re causing an environment that is now causing people to look over their shoulders or even set up an environment that someone could just levy, uh, an accusation that may not be true, but now they’ve got the burden of proof, the burden of proving their innocence. DISD needs to come out and — I know you don’t want to respond to the Observer, you don’t want to respond to the Advocate, but those are now being referenced in mainstream media and on social media. Now they’ve got it. You guys have got to come out and say, point blank, we are not having this, we are not afraid of this, we want to get ahead of this.
Lusk: Robyn, you want to speak to that?
Harris: Sure, I will say that we did send out a release as well last week to that point, but additionally we have addressed all of those. And I say when we have responded to each one of the inquiries that have come to my office, alongside my colleagues who are here, I did share earlier, I don’t know when you came in, but I did share earlier that we have absolutely set on and had lengthy conversations. Um, again, as recent as this past week. So I don’t —
Parent 9: An … that says, we were just made aware of this article when the news media told us about it, isn’t going to cut it. It’s, you’ve got to respond to it and say, we’re not having this.
Parent 7: Can’t DISD do one of those phone calls like you do for bad weather or email? I mean, it needs to go to everyone.
Parent 1: The Instagram, Twitter. Um, I’m sure some reporter, typical human personality, would love to have you sit on TV, saying, “Hey, this is who we are.” It would be the cheese because they’d be the first to have it. Is there any reason why — I’m sorry, I’m hot too. And my kid’s leaving.
Lusk: Your passion’s coming through.
Parent 1: I love this place and it’s too — my daughter’s fine. You know this, there’s so much more here than just being a school and art. It is an institution that, the kids can come and become who they are. I mean, it’s amazing. And to have a cloud of this magnitude overshadow that, God forbid. So I mean, on TV, somebody saying, “Hey, this is who we are. Please pay attention.” It’s done. But you know, a response to an article or, you know, a little something here and there, it’s not going to do it. This is America, baby. We gotta nail it. I’m sorry.
Harris: I know, I understand. I’m in America, too, so I will also say as — I work very closely, our office works very closely with a number of media outlets, one of whom is here and I will not put them on the spot. But we work very well and are really responsive and, not sharing as far as how a news cycle works, even if we, they have to also want and have an appetite to even position themselves to, to, to share. Now, I’m not opposed to us, you know, pushing out any information with very, you know, assistance of my colleagues here. But I also want to say, we also feel as though it is, I will, I will say I am equally attracted and have a passion for Booker T. I will tell you that myself. I’m a champion for a number of stories that have come out of here, from the multimillion-dollar recording studio that was here, the many Juilliard students who have come through each year, and and actively seek and pitch those out, so much so that I’ve got to tell our team, “Hey, there are other schools that we can kind of promote and showcase as well.” So it is also personal, at least for myself and I, I do appreciate the feedback and we work with our, my colleagues to see what —
Lusk: And I think, too, like, so that this, this doesn’t become a media, sort of communication conversation, I want to make sure I can answer the questions that you have, the outside of really media, because I think our media, our communications group is really working to figure out how do we best support our students in this school community and get the message out so that’s not lost on us. So I’d like to go to answer any other questions related to concerns.
… Agreed. Yes, we’re agreeing and I’m saying, it’s not lost on us, but also I want to go answer other questions. So duly noted. And I think there’ll be a, we’ll we’ll work on the strategies. I want to answer other questions, if I may. I’m not sure who’s first. Uh, I haven’t heard from you yet.
Parent 10: Just a question. It’s kind of like with the media, but at the same time, there are kids and there are people who just develop grudges. What do you do when they claim they’re sending those tips to DISD? What happens to those names?
Lusk: Well, you know, when it goes to DISD, I’m not sure who it goes to per se, right? But essentially, you know, the magnet office, which is led by Keisha-Crowder Davis, and of course, it falls under Angie [Gaylord], and ultimately it’s my responsibility, I’ll say that, first and foremost. Um, you know, that information, while we may receive information, we are not the tip line that you’re seeing in the news.
Parent 10: I just want to make sure people can’t just put a target on someone’s head and they all of a sudden get investigated regardless on how …
Lusk: That’s not how we’re operating. So just to be clear, that’s not how we’re operating. You know, I regret that that article is there, and it’s some entity out there saying, we’re going to pay $5,000. I think it’s a bit ridiculous. It’s really ridiculous, right? It’s an inappropriate mindview. But nonetheless, that’s not our position.
Parent 10: That’s not even Crimestoppers. The individuals that are against, like a government watchdog group, that has nothing to do with Crimestoppers. It is not a police entity. It is not a government entity. It is not good for our kids. It is not good for our school. So it’s, I mean it has nothing to do with anything. You can call it and try and that’s just, it’s not going to go anywhere. That has been investigated.
Parent 11: This is why I’m so scared. We applied to the district, and my husband and I were divorced, and we have joint custody, and my daughter lives about 40% with him. He lives in Dallas and I live somewhere else, and she got in based on her talent, and then her dad moved out of the district. We freaked out about that and rented a place in Dallas, even though we also live somewhere else, and now you come up with a frequently asked questions that’s now detailing — which was not detailed when we audition — “This is what living with someone is, you have to have this specific” — that’s what you put out. And then, I volunteer a lot, and I don’t hide my situation because why should I? I’m not guilty of anything. And then a parent that I serve with asked me last week, “Are you afraid that someone’s going to turn you in?” And I was so upset. I came up to the school to meet with the director. I asked her to speak to Dr. Rudes. I would, like, literally, I pour my heart and soul in this school because it saved my daughter, too, and she was at her wit’s end. I mean, she would have probably ended up, it would have been awful. So I don’t want to hear, I don’t want people attacking me, people that I serve with in a school that I’ve like done so much for because I didn’t do anything wrong based off of the things you put out.
Lusk: The criteria was established.
Parent 11: That’s right. So why should I be scared now?
Lusk: You should not be.
Parent 11: And you should take a stronger position in the media. And that’s why we keep saying that you need to revoke these things that people are saying. You know, you need to stand up for us in the media. You need to say, you know, there are lots of, like you did in the beginning when she came out in the beginning of the town hall meeting, she said, specifically, we understand that people have residences everywhere. And that was, like, amazing. I appreciated that so much because it put my heart to ease and I’m thankful for that. But now that all of this has all come out again, my daughter is scared and she thinks, you know, like last year, when it happened … she was like, what if, you know, you’re not able to come to school anymore? I’m telling you right now, you have no right to tell me my kid can’t come here anymore. I’m afraid for my child.
Lusk: That’s why we’re here today. We want you to hear me explicitly say to you that we’re not removing students. That’s not our intent. That’s not what’s going to happen. Your child will remain here. So I’m standing in front of a hundred people probably, and you know, wow, there’s been a lot of media kind of crazy out there, you know, there’s been a lot of frenzy of articles that really, to the point made, are really just wreaking havoc, um, a lot of which are not fully accurate, obviously. We stand here today, the superintendent, superintendent said here this morning, and I want to make sure that we can reach the school community and say, we’re here to support the students, the staff and the school community. Yes, ma’am.
Parent 12: I don’t know if it’s totally, actually true but is there anything that can be set up in place for the students because from what I understand, about three or four weeks ago, there was some individuals from the media that were trying to interview the students just off the campus to get information. So I just feel like that’s a risk. It’s putting our kids in a position that they’re not equipped to handle, and putting them in situations where, a he-said, she-said sort of a situation that could make it difficult for them.
Lusk: Yeah. That, that is not, that should not be happening. Um, I think Dr. Rudes is, is addressing and aware of that. Um, we, I think I’d heard similarly, but, uh, that’s not appropriate. It’s not fair to our kiddos. And, and I as a parent, quite frankly, I have a junior. She comes home and tells me that happened. I’m gonna wanna know who did it and why. So, uh, we’re gonna address it. I’ll let you speak to it, Dr. Rudes.
Rudes: Yeah, I was just going to let everybody know that, uh, we did have a reporter approach the campus. Uh, we took care of it with Officer Wilson. Um, he had, he addressed the situation, but by that point they were off property and it was during dismissal. And so, we don’t have jurisdiction once they’re off the property. So there were some people that were in cars that had walked off the campus, but we do not allow that to happen on campus.
Lusk: I appreciate that. Yes, sir.
Parent 13: Seems like there’s been a lot of talk about fairness, and it seems to me “fairness” is just following the rules. So if you get into this school legitimately — detailed residency requirements and detailed admission requirements — so if you did not follow those requirements, then you should pay the consequences. But if you do follow those requirements, and one of the rules is you’re not going to be kicked out once you get in, then that also needs to be a rule because it’s great that everyone here, this school has a great effect on them, but for everyone who is in here, there are three or four others whose life could, whose lives could be saved as well. If you play by the rules, and someone who’s here didn’t, they don’t deserve it.
Lusk: Understood. And I think initially, you know, every good deed kind of — well, I shouldn’t say that. I think your point is well taken. And I think the challenge is, wow, that’s really what initially I think we’re aimed at, is like, you know, we want to make sure that those who got in legitimately, whether they live in district or not, because you can get in legitimately living outside the district, I think that’s what we’re aiming at, but I think it got inflamed or sort of taken out of, blown out of proportion as a result of some of the media attention that it got. So you’re right. We don’t disagree with you.
Parent 14: Thank you for sharing with parents that are here … Is that policy that has always been there, or is this policy that’s starting now, moving forward?
Lusk: We, uh, what I said from the onset, we want to assure you that we’re here in the best interest of your students and nobody has … so we’ll continue to make sure anyone who gets in, stays in. I think the gentleman’s point, and the point, really, is that it’s a small segment of people who may not follow the process legitimately, and that maybe the efforts we were looking at were aimed at that. But again, it blew out of proportion. So, um, those were a mistake.
Parent 14: I’m asking because that way moving forward I think it’s wise to let the students know, and hopefully let everybody else know, because it is an emotional time for them with everything that goes on. I said, I know exactly, you know, our daughter even comes home and says, this is my friend. And so this is not right for them to be focused on that when they’re already coming in at 7:30 or 8 o’clock in the morning for practice before school, their daily activities and they’re staying again until 7 o’clock at night where they have to go home to do homework —
Lusk: It’s their passion.
Parent 14: Yeah, they shouldn’t have to worry about this on top of that.
Lusk: I think what we’ve done, I hope that the intent was — so we met with the entire staff this morning, met with student leaders, you’re right, and so it just didn’t feel like it was time to involve the whole student body. To the point Dr. Rudes made, he has done, and will continue to message there. Wanted to make sure everybody from the parent, the parent perspective, can hear this message tonight. So obviously we want you to go home and reassure your child that he or she will be safe and there will be no changes. But also from Dr. Rudes’ perspective as the leader of the school, I’m pretty sure he’ll put some systems in place to make sure that the message is clear.
Parent 15: Dr. Lusk, could you expound upon what the superintendent said? Several of the faculty asked about students that applied from Dallas ISD schools. Greiner [Exploratory Arts Academy] is one of them. And that they are, they were accepted into Greiner and they are out-of-district students. And what that verification process is and what the superintendent said about that?
Lusk: Are you referring to the students who are outside the district?
Parent 15: Yes.
Lusk: So one of the questions that, there are a lot of great questions this morning from both students and staff, of course, but one question is, hey, there are a lot of students who are out-of-district, have gone to Greiner, Greiner has a great program, right? And then they apply to Booker T. and and due to the policy, they didn’t, they didn’t get in, right, because there are other in-district students who met the, who met the targets before they did. And so, you know, he talked about the fact that we really need to revisit that because it creates another set of students, right, that we don’t want to block out from opportunity. So if we have students in the middle school who are getting immersed in the arts and getting great support, we want to create that opportunity for a path forward, so we’re going to have to kind of revisit that and figure out, how do we as a district address that, because you know, most importantly, we want to do right by our students and families. And secondly, it’s an opportunity for us to keep a student who may not even come to us. So we all win, right, so it’s a win-win. Yes, ma’am.
Parent 16: Can you clarify just to 100% — so if a kid gets in, they’re in-district, parent moves to Garland in the middle of their sophomore year, when they come back junior year — and they have to register every year and turn in residency information — is that junior still good? Because they were good their sophomore year but they moved when they turn in that information their junior and senior years.
Lusk: Student legitimately gets in, whether they’re in-district or out-of-district — ’cause that can happen either way— um, he or she has a family situation, the family moves, student stays at the school.
Parent 16: All four years.
Lusk: Change does not happen all four years.
Parent 17: So is this a policy change? Because that was stated differently in the fall.
Lusk: Yeah, it’s not a policy — we haven’t changed our policy. So let me, let me just say that.
Parent 17: It was stated as if it was a specific policy, with criteria unique for juniors and unique for seniors were my understanding when I was there, and we live in the district so that’s not my concern. But just for clarification, ’cause I think it would ease the minds of a lot of these parents that have moved, but the understanding was you’re 100% guaranteed if you’re a senior; if you’re a junior, if there are spots within your conservatory, then you’re able to stay. And it was something to that effect.
From the audience: And if there was no waitlist.
Lusk: Yeah, let me just say this. So I can answer the question. So I think first of all, we did not change policy. And the question came up this morning, did we change policy? I think to be candid with you, we’ve changed our position, recognizing that there needs to be continuity, uh, and students don’t need change. And so that’s really, we didn’t change policy. And right now —
Parent 17: To me, that needs to go to the media.
Lusk: Right now, there’s no intent to change policy, no intention to change policy.
Parent 17: And is that on the district website, those specific —
Lusk: I’m not sure. We’ll look at it, though. If it’s on FAQ — I think that would be helpful. It came through, I think as an FAQ. We’re taking notes. Yes, ma’am.
Parent 18: … Is there something in place that can be grandfathered in? Because like she said, that is very different from the beginning of the year so it’s not a policy change, but maybe an interpretation or a position changes, but what about a grandfathered policy.
Lusk: Yeah, I would say, too, I don’t disagree. We have to be clear and stay clear, right, about what it is we’re doing. Let me, and let me also say this: There are other, there are other magnets that are in high demand so while we’re sitting here talking about Booker T. this evening, Ms. Huitt can tell you she has other challenges she’s dealing with, deals with similarly because the schools are doing great. So, uh, you’re right, I think in the brush is not one brush for Booker T.; the brush has to be a broader brush for magnets. So we’re not just sort of pointing out Booker T., right? It’s gotta be all magnets. So yeah, thank you for that.
Parent 3: I just want to kind of clarify something. So my understanding with the whole media. She has spoken with the media. She has had multiple conversations. She has explained the district’s, what we’re doing, this is our stance. The kids aren’t going anywhere. They’re not going to get a bounty on their head. This has been discussed. DISD cannot say: Put this in the media. The papers put what they want to put in the paper, whether it’s her conversation or it’s my conversation. They’re going to release that. DISD doesn’t dictate that. They don’t put what’s on the 5 o’clock news; it’s going to be what’s from the Advocate on the 5 o’clock news ’cause that’s more sensational and that sells papers. So I think that they aren’t doing that job. It’s just not getting out there because that’s not exciting.
Parent 19: [Speaking about admission being about talent and also living in the district.] If you do not live in the district, then I don’t know what the process is. For example, my daughter, my wife, she lives in the district; I live outside. My daughter, she got in. First she got rejected, then she got in. What’s the most important — to live in the district or be talented because this school is known for the talent of the kids?
Lusk: In the end, you have to qualify to be in the school. I think that answers the question. I think, you know, there are two sides of the argument, and I’m not here today to make the argument. I think some people will say, well, you know, although every, you know, you have to meet the criteria to get in, right? There’s people who would argue that, well, should you live in the district or not? That’s not, I’m not here to argue that. That’s not my position. We have a policy, we follow. It’s EHBJ. It’s a, it’s a 30/70 policy, but most of you probably know it. Um, the top 30% automatically get in based on conservatory, then 70% by feeder. But live in-district or not, right now, our policy is to live, you should live in the district. So any student who qualifies who lives in the district would have first access before those who don’t, but I’m not here arguing against for or against that. I’m just, those are just the facts. Let me go here. Next one.
Parent 1: I do want to share that I am not here in a combative situation. I’m here to be supportive.
Lusk: Come over here and sit beside me then, please. [audience laughter]
Parent 1: I wanted to congratulate you guys and thank you. And that’s the first thing I said when I started to share. Um, but my daughter’s 18, and I will tell you to follow her. I don’t even look at the news. You hear it on, you see Twitter, you see Instagram, you see Facebook. That is something we generate. And so yes, the news may not put on a news program. But believe me, you will have probably 95% more readership on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook than you would in a news article or on TV. So I did share that, but, um, you know, but I, you know, this place is amazing. We just got another ranking. The second, No. 2 public school in the nation. Hello. Get excited. [audience applause] It’s amazing. I’m here because I love this place, but, you know, it’s human nature. And we have to just concede to that. If they’re hearing one thing, it’s juicy — is that tea, is that what they say? So if they hear something else in contrast. Oh, OK. It may not make big news, but believe me, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, they got it.
Parent 5: You didn’t actually answer my question. If I provided my husband’s residency for my daughter in August, why did I just have to re-verify our residency, if what you’re saying is true, that it doesn’t matter if we already verified that we live in the district, I mean, why would we have to do it again then?
Lusk: To clarify, our position now is if you prove residency in the beginning, you’re in.
Huitt: Can I just ask really quick just to clarify something? So, um, I got a chance to address you all in the fall, and we have had a position change, and this is slight, but it still doesn’t change the process. Remember when I talked to you guys in the fall and I was very candid and I was honest, I had a vulnerable moment. I told you all that I was a principal in Dallas. I was a magnet principal and I said, “Hey, when we got our kids, we checked them one time when they first came in. We never checked them again.” And one of the things that we had in our policies that we’re supposed to do is an annual check. The concern was not whether you were following the entrance policy correctly or not. The concern was whether you were providing falsified documentation. That’s the only thing we were attempting to check. Is it falsified documentation? So. If you fell under one of those two flags, we said we wanted to ask you for additional documentation later on to check that documentation so that you can prove that yes, indeed, you live in the district or you provide legitimately, if, um, legitimate documentation in the future.
We talked about the idea that there might be some one-off situations. So your, your situation in Garland. I’m already intimately familiar with that situation. I’ve had conversations with Dr. Rudes, we’ve had conversations with Dr. Lusk, we had a conversation with everybody. So most of your situations, we actually know about. I mean, we know about them, and you haven’t received a letter from us that said you need to leave a school. And so and I’ll tell you why. And that was because when we started the process, we said, we’re just going to start, look at these addresses, make sure the documentation is not false, and then we’ll go from there. And then what we’ve uncovered is that like, yes, life happens, people move. But they got in, they got in, they’re right, they provided a good documentation. They did nothing wrong and life happened. Do they stay or do they not stay? And so, the decision was, the leadership decision, was that like, yeah, if they provide a legitimate documentation, Keisha’s office can verify that, you get to stay. You can have multiple residences; you got in the correct way. You have a situation where you live in two locations, you get to stay. So it doesn’t change the fact that we’re going to check to see if the documentation is false from the beginning. We will check that. But that has nothing to do with whether you got in correct or not. You know what I mean, I don’t want to mix those two things up. So —
Parent 20: Can we not do that at the beginning of the year, have their, all the required documentations, so these kids don’t have to, ’cause I think some of the feedback that we got from the parents was, OK, I got this, this letter at school, or they were sent to me and now you’ve got three days to turn it around, and parents are flying all over the place, right, and working. And so can we not have that requirement set up front at the, you go through registration and we’re done, right? Like, and if somebody didn’t provide something at registration, you flagged them right there within a week, send it back. But, but this intermittent of every two months, you know, flagging somebody and bringing them in, it’s too much stress for the parents. It’s too much stress for the kids.
Huitt: It’s a lot of stress for us. But seriously, you have to remember that this was our — and we’re not perfect. I’ll be honest, I’m not perfect — this was our pilot year. We had a committee of parents that came in. We all made a decision about what makes sense, what feels right. We’ll send out maybe three times a year and check it. That’s what we came up with. It doesn’t mean it can’t change, right? Um, and so we definitely made some mistakes this year, and we’re trying to self-correct right now, OK?
Parent 21: Thank you, Dr. Lusk, for being here because I think this is much needed. I understand that you can’t control the message in the media, but I feel there’s been some inconsistent messaging from the district as well, specifically when Ms. Huitt came here in September, she gave a very different definition of residency than was given a few days ago. It’s much narrower now. And I’m wondering if there’s a reason for that change, and which definition is correct? There’s been some inconsistency. The FAQ that came out now actually speaks to sleeping in the residency, and that was not shared with families in September.
Huitt: Yeah, that, that document. Um, actually I provided a copy of the document in September. I don’t know. I don’t know what document you’re speaking of; I just provided the legal policy that we had, and I think I provided a draft of the document in September. I don’t, I don’t, I’d have to go back and look and see.
Audience voice: The primary residence —
Parent 21: You defined residency differently than what you shared in September.
Huitt: Oh, I see what you’re saying. OK.
Audience voice: It literally says, it defines residency as where you sleep, eat and live.
Huitt: Got it. OK.
Parent 21: And that is, that is a very different statement. So there seems to be some inconsistent messaging through the district. Which one is accurate? Which one will apply going forward?
Lusk: We need to do a better job of that. I think some of the questions have illustrated that for me. We need to provide more consistency, more clarity over time, so, forgive us. We’ll get better at that …
Parent 21: But does the narrower definition stand?
Keisha Crowder-Davis: Can we review that definition and clarify in the FAQs?
Parent 5: Also, you just said that, if the document did line up initially with the communications office, with Keisha’s office, then you guys are asking for more? Um, that’s one message. Then the other one is, that was put out is, oh, we’re doing random checks.
Huitt: No, no. Both of those statements are true. So in the fall we had to — so when we met as a committee, and the committee included Booker T. parents and other parents from across the district, magnet parents — two things were true. They said, well, can we do a random check? So we said, OK, well we’ll try that this year. We’ll do a random check. And then we also had the, you fell under these two criterion, right? Where, like having changed your address, and there was stuff, can’t remember the other one. So those are the ways you would get checked this year, and then we would come back and it would be a revisit, like, how did this process go? Do you need to refine it, do you need to change it? And so basically the letter that you see fell under, probably, the random check policy that’s, or it fell under the initial flag for the random check policy. So that was a part of that sort of pilot.
Lusk: I would like Lily, I’d like you to go just speak for a moment. Then ma’am I’ll come to you next, OK?
Parent 22: My question is to the point you made about other magnets. What are you guys doing to make the other magnets attractive? Um, because I know that Booker T. is the only school that has all of the arts —
Lusk: Conservatories.
Parent 22: But there are other magnets that have dance, you know, and music and theater. You know, when are you guys going to make it attractive? I have a daughter this year. She’s a senior. And I had a daughter that, um, auditioned. She’s graduated out of DISD from another school. She auditioned and wasn’t accepted; the following year, her sister was accepted. So imagine what my household was like. [audience laughter] But they worked through it, you know. Um, and the daughter that auditioned and wasn’t accepted auditioned for dance. And the good thing about that, about her was, she was involved in outside activities, in terms of dance. You know, she participated in, you know, different intensives and things like that that helped her. Um, but I hear, I’ve heard several parents that said, this school has saved their children’s lives. So to answer your question — how many schools do we have in DISD and how many children whose lives need to be saved?
Lusk: You know, I think, we’re always — early on, when I started kind of talking about really, the effect Booker T. has had on, really as a district, how we view future schools? It has had an impact on future schools. I don’t know if you were here in the beginning, but I talked about the digital creative arts, digital and creative arts technology high school. That’s going to really be a complement to Booker T. here in Dallas ISD in a couple of years. Um, it’ll be a 9-12 high school as well, focused on the arts. Um, there, there are other models at the elementary grades that we’re looking at. Uh, Martin Luther King will open next year as an exploratory arts academy. It’s, we’re calling it like, affectionately we call it Baby Booker T., but it’s called exploratory arts academy. And we’re also talking about the possibility of creating a similar school to Martin Luther King in South Oak Cliff. So we recognize, to your point, that this school is a shining star and the demand is so high, we’ve got to figure out how do we allow opportunities for students to go other places and feel like that they’re having the same opportunity. Yeah, fair question. And Lily, can I ask you to just kind of share some sentiments you have for the school?
Lily Weiss, executive director of the Dallas Arts District and retired Booker T. faculty: Yes. A couple of you I do know, and I’ve been around for a long time. I’m probably, [theater conservatory director] Karen [Cogdill] and I are probably the longest standing in the arts district, I think. Uh, I was here and hired by Paul Baker in 1978 and, uh, retired from dance in 2014 and then retired as artistic director, um, to go to the arts district in 2016. But what I, what I do know is that once you’re here, you care deeply about the school, and every faculty member, every parent, every student, every cousin, every anyone who has come to support this body knows deeply how important this magic is, right? And, yes, I really care deeply about Dallas ISD kids. And yes, kids deserve this kind of education.
But I will tell you this: The superintendent this morning was very honest with the faculty and with the student leaders. And one of the reasons he told me he wanted to just hone in to the student leaders: One, it was SAT day and two, um, when you get 1,000 students together the message also gets mixed up. So he really honed in and targeted just the student leaders. But I will tell you because, and he referred to himself as Hinojosa 1.0 and 2.0 — I have known Dr. Hinojosa since it was 1.0 and left and came back as 2.0 — and I will tell you that, and Ms. Cogdill knows, Dr. Hinojosa shoots straight from the hip. And the one thing is, I know is, he handled crisis better than I’ve ever seen it in Dallas ISD out here at Booker T., and that was during the capital campaign, and he had to make a major decision on where Booker T. was going to set up tent for nearly three years before we came back to 2501 Flora. And he took a lot of heat from the parents. So at the last second, he called the coordinators at the time, he called us in at 4:30 in his office, and he wanted our opinion. And we had to really qualify, do you really want our candid opinion because we’re going to give it to you if you really want our opinion. And at that moment, I knew he did.
So I took a shot when, because I, with you, line in the sand was drawn when the reward came up, and I knew that I probably should have said something earlier, probably before the fourth article came out, but when the bounty was offered to, about kids who are minors in this public school system. I knew that it didn’t matter who I was, who I worked for. Um, I knew that I needed to reach out to the person that could make the difference. And I will tell you, I reached out to him and not because I was chicken, because I was busy at 5 o’clock last Friday and knowing full well that Dr. Hinojosa would probably not receive that until Monday. And at 7 a.m. when I was having coffee at my breakfast table, I said, “Oh my gosh, Dr. Hinojosa just replied at 7 a.m.” He said, “Absolutely, you can have a meeting.” And he brought together a team and I didn’t know — in fact, I asked Dr. [Pam] Lear, who is chief of staff, I had to say, “I’m sorry. Who is Brian Lusk?” [audience laughter] Because I hadn’t met him and I don’t, it’s been awhile since I’ve been in Dallas ISD. So I didn’t know the hierarchy and I, all I knew is whoever Dr. Hinojosa was going to have on that phone call, I can trust. And this morning, he set it up so that when questions came up, he referred to Dr. Lusk to answer those questions. I will tell you that when Dr. Hinojosa says he’s going to do something, I have known him for years, and he will do it. Then what he said this morning to the faculty is, “I will stand up to the board of trustees if there’s any question with how I feel about the quality of this school and about the idea that he is not here to put students out.” He is — yes, they need to tighten the process, but the policy has not changed. And I’m not kidding — that policy is the same from when I came here.
And, I will tell you, your faculty is incredible. The fact that they can go on, I know, I know how they are able to do that, but they have a united front with your kids, and I, I’ve heard from all of you how much you cherish that and that is the magic that is really Booker T. And you have to believe that your faculty is going to protect you, that your community is going to protect you. And that Dr. Hinojosa said this morning, with everybody here, that he is not here to put out students, and he’s also not here to change the quality required to get it in this school. And those are two things that have always worried me for them.
So I just want you to know to keep the lines of communication open, whether that’s with Dr. Rudes, whether that’s with your students, have the teacher they can trust, keep those lines of communication open and I promise, ’cause I already told the Dr. Lusk, I have already been talking to, I don’t know the students as well, but I’ve asked faculty to actually see what the pulse of the student response was from this morning because I know it’s important to document and Hinojosa to get feedback. It is important. He knows now that this school felt that they were abandoned, and he does know that now. And that’s why Dr. Lusk is here. That’s why this staff is here, because bottom line, we’re all Dallas ISD. Bottom line, we should all be standing together, not on one side or the other, and you’re never going to create solutions if it’s us and them. You are never going to. I can tell you that because I’ve taken an us-and-them attitude, and it just doesn’t get anywhere. So please, please, please keep the lines of communication open, be honest, be respectful, and, and demand to be heard. You know, that, that’s your right, you’re parents. I’m a community member, and I feel that when I need to speak, I, these people — Keisha, I’ve known, I don’t even want to say how long I’ve known Keisha, but I’ve known them for decades, and I have known them to shoot straight from the hip. If I’m doing something wrong, she’ll tell me, “Nope, Lily, that’s crossing the line.” So please keep those lines of communication open. Use your leadership, your parent leadership, your guilds, your conservatory directors — your kids need to be supported, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Cogdill: I think, and I will, as head of the theater conservatory, I will tell you that — I’m sure [dance conservatory director] Katie [Walker] is in the same boat — we have said to our kids, “You are here because you belong here. Every one of you belongs here.” From the beginning of this, Dr. Rudes encouraged us to, and we did, and we mean it. They got a place here, they earned a place here. They’re here and they’re ours. And that has not changed.
Parent 23: Thank you for changing the mood. There was a point in time where I wanted to walk out. It was so us against them. And as a parent, I think we also need to take a step back and own some responsibility because a lot of what our children, and I’m generalizing this comment here, a lot of what our children are feeling, it’s feeding, they’re feeding off us. We cannot control what the media says and does. And I clearly heard and empathize with you that, Robyn, that you have spoken to the media, yet they’ve chosen not to share the message. We cannot control Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, whatever else and whatever means we try to deliver this message. People will choose only selectively what they want to hear. Thank you for changing the mood, and Ms. Cogdill, I feel the love. My daughter feels the love that the faculty — and I think we lost sight of who really needs to be appreciated and who we really need to thank because, not only us as parents have gone through this whole deal, but I can’t even imagine what the faculty, what Dr. Rudes has been going through. I would not want to be in your household when, that, that is horrible. Yet at the beginning, I heard a lot of finger pointing — you, you, you — and really, we just need to communicate, stand firm and fight with the media, just the way media is selectively choosing to deliver certain messages.
Lusk: So let me take one more question, and I’ll be glad to stay as long as anybody likes. I’ll linger here as long as anybody likes.
Parent 5: I don’t have a question. I just have to ask — and I completely agree with you — Ms. Kate Walker did a phenomenal job of reassuring me that [daughter’s name] was going nowhere, so I wouldn’t — and that was like at 9 p.m. at night, so she did a great job. You said that you guys haven’t put anybody out, but some people have left because of they thought the requirements had changed. So you might want to reach back out to those people and say, “Oops, our bad.” [audience laughter] They were leaving out of fear, so that would be my first ask. My second is, I had no clue that kids are accepted based on zoning, right? I didn’t know that until I found out from someone that worked at DISD … so I had no clue, so that may be something you want to put out because then you have all the parents from North Dallas not screaming at the kids from South Dallas for taking their spot, so that’s just in your FAQ, you might want to break that down.
Huitt: It was explained this year at the parent meetings this year. It was explained this year.
Parent 5: Right, but people who haven’t applied yet, and they’re thinking because their neighbor’s daughter who lives in North Dallas is getting in, or whatever it is, right, I just think that it’s good for clarification.
Lusk: I want to say thank you all for coming this evening. I want to say, from Dallas ISD, we appreciate your concern and you being here. For me, I drink in constructive conversation because you know, we could have had a conversation that was kind of backfill, but I really, really thought your questions were meaningful and you spoke to the heart and I appreciate it because we’re here to solve problems. If you still have questions or you think of something tonight, feel free to reach out to me via phone or email … we’ll get your questions answered for you.
Parent 1: Dr. Rudes, I just want to say, I know that I was very loud. But my loudness is because, you know me. I work like a dog here. I love this place. And Ms. Walker knows my daughter [name] and she knows how much her life right now, and I know they go to Instagram and check her out. Oh, Booker T., hmm, what’s this controversy? Is she in district or not? That’s human nature. So I’m not saying I’m not pointing fingers. I’m not creating an ambience of whatever. I’m just simply stating facts of life. It is an audition process. Any little issue could be a reason why. It limits the amount of applications that come in of those who are accepted from the elitist of the elite. It could be Booker T., but they may not like it because this is going on right now. That has to be a reality set for us. That’s real. It’s not rhetoric. It’s not some angry mother. I’m — my daughter. I can’t say more how much gratitude I have. What I’m saying is, let’s make it count. If they’re reading that, they read the other as well, but it’s not there.
Parent: Or documenting it as parents. We can help. You know, social media is, everybody has a hand in that, period.
