Jimmy Tran has filed as a candidate for the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees in District 2, which includes much of our neighborhood from the M-Streets all the way to Lakewood. Here are a few important facts to know about Jimmy and why he would appreciate your vote.
Who is Jimmy Tran?
I grew up in Houston and attended my K-12 neighborhood public schools. My wife, Lisa, is a Dallas native and went to private school, but we both share a commitment and passion for public education. We met at SMU and married five years after we graduated. We have three children: Lila, 10, in fifth grade; Livia, 8, in third; and Jordan, 6, in first. All three of our kids are enrolled at Dallas ISD schools. I’m a small business owner, and currently run several Code Ninjas locations — we teach children STEM and coding. We serve many families in East Dallas!
Jimmy Tran is a neighbor, father, DISD Advocate and District 2 Board of Trustees candidate. Photo by Jessica Turner.
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
My parents escaped Vietnam during the war. In fact, my mom was a teacher before she landed in this country in 1975. I was born in 1980. I always knew and was taught that education is the single most important way we can improve our life circumstances. When my parents came to the U.S. they did not know English and did not have the opportunity to get a college degree here. They worked tough blue-collar jobs. But I was fortunate enough to have a decent public education in my neighborhood schools, in fact, the high school I attended is very similar to Woodrow Wilson High School. This foundation enabled me to attend SMU as a Hunt Scholar, then to get a well-paying job after school and, ultimately, this changed the trajectory of my life. Education is so critical to every person and their life’s success. For our city, I believe we cannot have a strong city without a strong DISD.
I have spent the last 20-plus years volunteering and advocating for public education, and I believe I bring skills and perspective that can make a real difference on our school board. As an undergraduate at SMU, I ran an after-school tutoring program at Geneva Heights, formerly Robert E. Lee Elementary School. I lived in East Dallas right off Lowest Greenville. It opened my eyes to urban education and to many of the challenges our kids face. This experience also inspired me to advocate for kids and to make a difference in my community, which is why I’ve been so engaged over the past 20 years.
Our own children started in private schools, but we shifted to DISD four years ago. We want to invest in public schools by being advocates and by having real skin in the game. In 2020, I was appointed by the Board of Trustees to serve on a committee to advocate for a $3.5 billion bond package, which voters approved. That’s the largest bond package ever passed in the State of Texas, and our infrastructure needs it. We are now at a point where we are using these funds and as a Trustee, I will bring 15+ years of business and real estate experience to ensure we use these funds as efficiently as possible.
In short, I bring a combination of life experience, civic involvement and business skills to the role. This is the right time for me and I’m the right candidate for District 2.
What are your priorities?
I have three. First, a focus on student success: kindergarten readiness, 3rd grade reading and finally college/career/military readiness in high school. We need to zero in on 3rd grade literacy – if a child cannot read by 3rd grade, chances are they will never catch up to their peers in later years.
My second focus is on transparency and accountability. More than 50% of our property tax bill goes to DISD. We need a Trustee with business experience to ensure we use our funds as efficiently as we can. We simply cannot afford to waste resources.
Last, I believe we need to remove student barriers to success. District 2 is one of the most privileged areas in Dallas, and includes established and beautiful neighborhoods from Preston Hollow, Bluffview, Lakewood, East Dallas and Oak Lawn. But there is also tremendous need throughout District 2 and throughout DISD. If we do not address barriers such as transportation, food insecurity, school safety and mental health, kids simply cannot perform and learn. As a Trustee, I will work hard to identify and address barriers that are preventing our kids from succeeding.
What are DISD’s weaknesses? How can we do better?
We have a huge perception problem. DISD today is very different from DISD 20 years ago, but most people still view us as a “bad District.” This is simply not true. We are currently rated a “B” District, which puts us on par with Richardson, Plano and Keller ISD. There is tremendous progress, but we have more work to do.
We have some of the best-performing schools in the country: Booker T. Washington, Townview Magnet, Lakewood Elementary, Sudie TAG and others. But we also have many challenging schools.
My goal as a Trustee is to help DISD become an “A” rated District and become the best performing urban school District in our state.
Why vote for you?
I was the first to announce, first to declare, first to commit. I personally have visited all the 18 schools in District 2. I have been doing this work for 20 years. Win or lose, I will always continue to advocate for public schools and DISD. It is ingrained in my life experience, and I have committed my own time and resources to doing the real work.
What do people say about Jimmy Tran:
This guy does a lot of work. He is responsive, committed, well-researched, approachable, and he will listen to me.
He is doing this work because he is committed, and he can make a real difference.
How can readers learn more or help?
Visit Jimmyfordisd.com, follow us @jimmyfordisd, contact@jimmyfordisd.com or call 469-607-7550.
If you go on our website, you can find out ways to help. We would love to deliver a yard sign and door hangers for you to distribute in your immediate neighborhood.
