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Power Pickets Make Strong Point That Performance Matters
Message: Hinojosa Still Must Go!!!
Darwin Campbell
LoneStarPowerPages
DALLAS- They may be loud, but power pickets are the latest way to citizens and activists are getting the message across and expressing their displeasure with the continued reign of Dallas Independent School District Supt. Dr, Michael Hinojosa – the strategy may be “radical” in some minds, but the message cannot be ignored.
Pickets hit home Saturday as groups from Accion America, the African-American Pastors Coalition, DISD parents and members of the Dallas chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and activists showed up from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Hinojosa’s residence to make a strong statement and protest his failures and tenure as superintendent.
The message is simple: Hinojosa must Go!!!
Superintendent Michael Hinojosa has created chaos and failed DISD, failed the schools, failed the teachers and most importantly failed the children of the DISD.
His failures as leader of one of the nation’s largest school districts are fueling and increasing fire the call that he step down.
Whether you wreck a multi-million submarine with nuclear missiles or manage a football team, or sports franchise with marquee stars or run a school district – You should be held accountable because: PERFORMANCE MATTERS.
On his watch, Hinojosa has been responsible for allowing a $64 million budget deficit, hundreds of teacher and support layoffs and a following series of events that have led groups to the decision to ask the board to ask Hinojosa to leave.
DISD taxpayers have had to contend with:
1. A credit card scandal.
2. Problems educating African-American children.
3. Problems with the DISD budget.
4. Poor audit results.
5. Bad school facilities in trustee districts 5 and 6.
6. Ethics issues including board members doing business with the district.
6. A dysfunctional school board that favors the superintendent and fails parents and the public.
7. Dallas Achieves hijacking of the district
8. TAKS test issues at schools/ increases in unacceptable schools
9. High and increasing school drop out rate.
10. The mishandling of the former Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District
11. Numerous lawsuits challenging fair and equitable education, resources and school facilities for poor and disadvantaged children.
12. Upheavals in schools, student relocations and crony protectionism of failed associates
13. Worsening public image with student, parents and the public due to the lack of the superintendent’s commitment to hear and serve all ethnic groups living in the district.
Other failures and concerns are:
The downgrade from Principals to Deans at Yvonne Ewell Townview Magnet
The credit card scandal (“P” card)
The dismantling of Spruce High School and allowing Samuell High School to be on the brink of dismantling
Roosevelt grading scandal
The mishandling of stripping South Oak Cliff basketball team of their state championship
The mishandling of the movement of clusters from Skyline Career Center to Emmet Conrad High School
The $54 million dollar shortfall back in March 2008
The mishandling of the attempt to change the grading policy, a national embarrassment
The recent DISD bond proposal barely passing, showing a lack of confidence by the citizens of Dallas
The latest $64 million budget shortfall
The 11 low-performing and academically unacceptable high school in Dallas ISD
What makes Hinojosa any different? He must be held accountable.
Community action and organizing is needed to pressure these elected school board officials to remove him before he does any more damage to the psyche of the district.
How much more of this do citizens want to take and how much do you want to tolerate?
Hinojosa remaining on the job demonstrates the power of the status quo to rule and force upon taxpayers their will and force you to accept low standards and expectations.
Keeping and protecting Hinojosa does nothing to further the education progress in the district (President Jack Lowe) or improve education for thousands of students.
The pickets not only want Hinojosa gone, but also is targeting school board member who continue to support the Hinojosa administration.
Some of those include DISD trustees Jack Lowe, Jerome Garza, Leigh Ann Ellis, Edwin Flores, & Nancy Bingham.
Those DISD trustees not only voted for the RIF, but also continue to support DISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa.
Pickets could be working as District 3 Leigh Ann Ellis is hosting an informal community discussion on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. at Bryan Adams High School, 2101 Millmar Dr.
Ellis is inviting district staff, students and other community members of the district to the meeting.
The purpose of the informal community discussion is to answer any questions or concerns that the public and community from District 3 might have.
Superintendent Hinojosa and Ellis will be present and answer the public and community questions.
Morning roving informational protest pickets will continue either at their respective businesses and/or homes of these members until the end of the DISD school year.
For additional information on protest dates and locations, contact Carlos Quintanilla accionamerica@aol.com or Casey Thomas presidentdallasnaacp@yahoo.com
No Justice, No Peace!