What Happens in Vegas Stays in Dallas: Clark County Decides Not to Bet on DISD's Hinojosa

Dallas Independent School DistrictRound about this time yesterday, Michael Hinojosa thought he just might be leaving for Las Vegas.No doubt you've heard: Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Michael Hinojosa's staying. Not because he wanted to; not necessarily. The entirety of the Clark County School District's board, save for one trustee,...

By Robert Wilonsky

September 30, 2010

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No doubt you've heard: Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Michael Hinojosa's staying. Not because he wanted to; not necessarily. The entirety of the Clark County School District's board, save for one trustee, voted instead to go with Colorado Education Commissioner Dwight Jones -- despite a couple of concerns spelled out in the Denver Post this morning, and despite his former affiliation with Edison Schools, with which DISD once had a bad experience. And the one Clark County trustee who voted against Jones didn't say she preferred Hinojosa -- she just thought, well, "I'm not comfortable moving that fast" on anyone, despite spending months searching for a super. Said a trustee who voted for Jones: "We need someone who constantly focuses on kids, not on politics, not on community partners, but on kids, 360 degrees."

And so Hinojosa stays -- for five more years, or thereabouts, just as soon as he signs the trustees' contract extension given last week after a 5-4 vote. And he's thrilled, seriously: "I'm competitive, I'm a coach. Everybody likes to win, but I'm not disappointed. I'm excited that I'm re-energized for five more years in Dallas." Question is: Is everyone else?

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