Dallas ISD Parent Rob Shearer Talks Future of District 7 and DISD

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What's Next For D7? w/ Rob Shearer

5/10/2016

District 7 resident and parent, Rob Shearer talks aftermath of Dallas ISD elections in District 7.

We're thankful for Rob coming on, not just because we liked his article, but because he's a DISD parent that's interested and engaged with education beyond the schools his children will attend. It's encouraging and we enjoy talking to parents. We're looking forward to him writing more and coming back on the show. Don't know what we're talking about? Check out some background info below.

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Related Articles:
Why is Trustee Joyce Foreman Fighting for Audrey Pinkerton? - Rob Shearer
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Dallas ISD News and Politics Rundown - May Week 1

6 Comments

Amy Tawil

5/10/2016 11:10:39 pm

I've been a resident of Oak Cliff 50 years. I am a DISD graduate, DISD parent and a DISD teacher. Rob Shearer is not a DISD parent yet. On FB, Rob was actually trying to explain education politics to DISD teachers and current DISD parents, who might just understand it all a little better than Rob. I'm sure he was also addressing friends who might nitnknownkich about DISD. Rob assumes that all iniatives the board has worked on the past 4 years are considered progress. Well, I think the District 7 voters have spoken and they might not agree with Rob Shearer and the DMN.

Shearer and his friends have tried, desperately, to tie Pinkerton to Rosemont. Pinkerton has had nothing to do with Rosemont. Her children didn't atrend Rosemont, she's never volunteered at Rosemont and she had NOTHING to do with the Anna Brining issue. I would, honestly, like Rob Shearer to explain how he believes Audrey is tied to Rosemont. Her opponent Isaac Faz, FFTF co-chair, is the one who gifted Rosemont (a school with an FCI rating of good) with a replacement school, while removing poorly rated schools Stevens Park and Anson Jones from the replacement list. I'd say he was the candidate tied to Rosemont.

Let me make this clear, Audrey did not participate in negative campaigning, unlike Faz who approved and printed his negative campaigning on his mailers. Audrey, just like Faz, is not responsible for voters opinions, posts, or conversations.

What on earth does Anna Brining have to do with new reform? The issue of Anna Brining's dismissal had NOTHING to do with new reform. How are these two issues linked? Faz surrogates, like Shearer, would like you to believe Faz lost because people are mad about Brining's dismissal. Could it not just be that all of the intelligent people who voted for Audrey don't believe everything that has been done in the past four years has been in the best interest of students and teachers?

There sure is a lot of "guessing" what Audrey will do on the board in this podcast. You have no clue. My bet would be that she will actually have commonality with both "sides" on the board. And I think she was absolutely the best person to possibly bring the horseshoe together...as opposed to another three years of big business telling Faz how to vote.

I'm saddened that Shearer seems to think the only school reform is the Todd Williams type reform. There is so much
more to education reform that would benefit students and teachers. Reform that could actually nurture critical thinkers instead of rote test takers.

As long as there is a lack of transparency in DISD and lack of transparency in the way the board does business, there is a need for trustees to question. There is a need for "watchdogs". This is why voters elect trustees...to look out for our best interests.

I'm happy that Rob can admit that he might not understand the development of the bond and how SOC was left out. Shearer has been a very vocal advocate for his soon to be school, Hogg Elementary; often disparaging Rosemont in his advocacy. I challenge Rob to research and report on why Stevens Park Elementary and Anson Jones Elementary Schools were taken off the replacement school list; especial when his friend and Board chair Eric Cowan pleaded for these two schools at the March 2015 board meeting (you're welcome to view that meeting through a link on the DISD website).

Once again, people like Shearer, keep saying that the "elephant" in the room regarding Rosemont's STAAR scores being underperforming was said, started and regurgitated before last year's scores were even released. When the scores were released they spoke for themselves in out performing the district scores.

I agree with Rob in that more Dallas citizens need to be involved in education. But this city needs to report on all opinions on education and stop shoving the one sided new reform opinion down everyone's throats.

I would like to see all of those talking heads out there who profess to be education experts or those having the ability to explain and differentiate edication politics, volunteering in our schools on a regular basis. I would also challenge those defending the development of the current bond to visit some of the poorly rated schools and then decide how the money should be allocated. My bet is that eyes would be opened.

Amy Tawil

5/10/2016 11:44:01 pm

Obviously, I wanted everyone to read my comment five times. Sorry for my happy trigger finger!

Anna Brining

5/12/2016 07:47:10 am

Anna Brining

5/12/2016 07:58:27 am

Rob- the invitation still stands to meet and discuss education and building more neighborhood schools.

Teresa N

5/13/2016 09:36:58 am

I am an 18 year resident in Oak Cliff with 18 years as an active DISD parent/volunteer on district level committees as well as Site-based and PTA's, served on two principal hiring committees and my two children attended numerous DISD schools. With over 60% of the vote-- consider the possibility that people voted because they believe, as I believe, that Audrey was the best candidate. That is not to say that Faz was bad. Just that Audrey has the skills that the board needs right now. She will represent the entire district. Please stop connecting dots that are not there.

D7 Resident

5/13/2016 10:23:44 am

I'd listen to an episode you were in.

What's Next For D7? w/ Rob Shearer

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