Dallas ISD Trustee Ben Mackey: Former Student Returns to Teach at Bishop Arts STEAM Academy

I hope all of you are enjoying this beautiful fall weather! Below you’ll find the summary for Dallas ISD and District 7 for the month.

District 7 & Dallas ISD Monthly Updates

Former Student Returns to Teach at Bishop Arts STEAM Academy: We are so proud to have Dallas ISD graduate Vanessa Martinez return to teach in Dallas ISD at the elementary school that she attended – Bishop Arts STEAM Academy. Congratulations on your role, Vanessa – we’re happy to have you here in District 7 and Dallas ISD.

Average Teacher Salary Now Tops $64,000 in Dallas ISD: Dallas ISD is now one of the first school districts in the DFW area to have average teacher salaries exceed $64,000! We know that our teachers are the backbone of our school system, and I am proud that we are compensating them as such. In fact, Dallas ISD is currently above the market compensation for teachers at every year of experience, regardless of whether a teacher is a first-year teacher or a twenty-five-year veteran.

Dallas ISD Launches 56 Afterschool Programs: Hearing loud and clear the parent request and seeing the need for more after school programming, Dallas ISD has opened 56 afterschool programs on campuses across the district. These programs are serving more than 3,000 students and represent the first step in a continued expansion of after-school programming.

October Board Meeting Debrief: This month, Dallas ISD had its regular board briefing and meeting. The major item that I want to highlight here is the Redistricting Process. Below, you’ll find the progress that’s been made, as well as next steps.

Monthly Overview: At our Board Meeting on October 14, the demographer presented initial possibilities for redistricting maps, all of which can be found here. Trustees provided town halls regarding the redistricting process and the maps to receive community feedback. This coming month, new plans and feedback will be presented as we work our way to one final map.

Upcoming Events:

6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 16: Dallas ISD called meeting regarding redistricting
6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 18: Dallas ISD Board Meeting
Nov. 22 – Nov. 25: Thanksgiving Break (no school)!

Office Hours for November: I am happy to schedule video chats, phone calls, or socially distanced coffees with any and everyone who would like to chat about any items concerning Dallas ISD! Please reach out to me at BenMackey@dallasisd.org to set up a time.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have thoughts, ideas, questions, concerns, or simply want to say hello!