Just a few minutes ago, the Dallas Independent School District posted to its Facebook page a lengthy note that says Superintendent Michael Hinojosa has ditched his plan to split Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center into two schools while at the same time eliminating five of its seven principals. Instead, says the release, the district will go with a new plan proposed by Townview parents, with input from school board trustees and Townview administrators.
Say the release, which follows in full:
The revised plan will expand the existing programs by at least 5% more students, reduce the number of top administrators and administrative staff, and add 7 teaching positions. Each magnet would continue to have its own principal but the school's executive principal position, as well as other assistant administrative positions, would be eliminated. Teachers who are currently part of the Academic Center, which provides instruction to all magnet students, would be assigned to specific magnet schools.To which Hinojosa adds, "The new plan meets our goals of meeting federal comparability requirements, reducing the amount of administrative overhead and maintaining the quality programs at Townview. I truly appreciate the leadership of our trustees and parents from the school to present a plan that meets the two unique challenges faced by federal comparability guidelines and an expected decrease in funding from the state."
District spokesman Jon Dahlander tells Unfair Park, via e-mail, "The cost savings from plan to plan are the same."
Hinojosa, as you no doubt are aware, has come under fire for the original plan -- from Carla Ranger (who said it couldn't be done without the trustees' OK) and from Townview parents. Just this Sunday, he defended the plan in The New York Times, insisting he's not "anti-magnet." The whole release follows.
REVISED PLAN APPROVED FOR YVONNE A. EWELLTOWNVIEW CENTER
Plan Will Reduce Administrative Overhead; Add Teacher Positions
Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa today announced that a revised staffing plan from one announced last week has been accepted by the administration and will be implemented at the district's acclaimed Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center for the 2011-12 school year.
The revised plan was proposed earlier this week by parent leaders at the campus with input from trustees and Townview staff.
"The new plan meets our goals of meeting federal comparability requirements, reducing the amount of administrative overhead and maintaining the quality programs at Townview," said Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa. "I truly appreciate the leadership of our trustees and parents from the school to present a plan that meets the two unique challenges faced by federal comparability guidelines and an expected decrease in funding from the state."
The revised plan will expand the existing programs by at least 5% more students, reduce the number of top administrators and administrative staff, and add 7 teaching positions. Each magnet would continue to have its own principal but the school's executive principal position, as well as other assistant administrative positions, would be eliminated. Teachers who are currently part of the Academic Center, which provides instruction to all magnet students, would be assigned to specific magnet schools.
"As said last week when the initial restructuring was announced, we have been concerned about maintaining our standards of service, particularly in our world-class magnet schools," said Hinojosa. "This plan accomplishes our goals, and our hope is that parents of current and incoming students to Townview understand that the district is doing everything possible to maintain the standard of quality at our magnet schools."
The Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center opened during the 1995-96 school year with six magnets: the Talented and Gifted Magnet, School of Science and Engineering, School of Business and Management, School of Health Professions, Rosie M. Collins Sorrells School of Education and Social Services and Judge Barefoot Sanders Magnet Center for Public Service: Government, Law and Law Enforcement. The six schools routinely are recognized by national publications such as Newsweek and U.S. News and World Report, as well as being named Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.
