Dallas Kids First d9 Disd Electionpacket2012(1)

8/2/2019 Dallas Kids First d9 Disd Electionpacket2012(1)

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SummarySide-by-SideScorecard

CandidatePositions

CandidateSurveys

DISDElectionPacket(D9)

May12,2012TrusteeElection

DallasKidsFirstVoterPacket

District9|SouthandCentralDallas|May12,2012ElectionsWhoisDKF?DallasKidsFirst(DKF)existstoincreasecitizenengagementbyprovidingvoterswithactionableinformationaboutpublicschoolgovernance.DKFbelievesthatdistrict-widetransformationrequiresTrusteeswhowillhonestlyassessDallasISDschallengesandaggressivelymovefromstatusquothinkingtostudent-baseddecisions.Followingyearsoflowvoterturnoutandcancelledelections,DKFwantstoengageeveryDallasISDstakeholderbyshininganintenselightonschoolboardactivity,clearlyoutliningcandidatesstrengths/weaknessesanddistillingcomplexissuesintoactionablescorecards.Whats aCandidateScorecard?DKFhasgiveneachcandidateascorefromA(verystrong)toF(veryweak)basedon(i)schoolboardvotinghistory,if available;(ii)writtenresponsestoDKFsCandidateSurvey;(iii) in-person interviewswithDKFsinterviewcommittee;and(iv)demonstratedproblemsolvingsuccessingovernance.DKFscoresweredesignedtogivevotersarecognizablecandidatebenchmark.

AreDKF scores transparent?HundredsofhoursofresearchanddocumentationhavegoneintoDKFsscores,andvoterscaneasilyunderstandscoresbyreviewingthecandidaterubric,eachcandidatespositions,and(forincumbents)self-containedvotinghistorysourcedocumentspostedonwww.dallaskidsfirst.org.

Pol. Adv., Kids First PAC


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CandidateScorecard(D9)


District Location VotingDate DKFReviewCompleted

9SouthDallasandpartsofDowntown,Uptown,

PleasantGrove,DeepEllumandEastDallasSaturdayMay12,2012 March2012

DefiningIssuesDistrictincrisis DallasISDhasseenmeaningfulimprovementsbutisstillprimarilydefinedbychallenges.SAT/ACTscores

stilllagmostTexasdistricts(90%+notcollegeready),andDallasparentsarestrugglingtodealwithunderperformingmiddleandhighschools.Trusteesmusthonestlyassessthesechallengesandaggressivelymovefromstatusquothinkingtostudent-baseddecisions.

Budgetwoes StatebudgetchallengeshavemademanagingDallasISDs$1.5billionannualoperatingbudgetextremelydifficult.Trusteesmustworktogetherinsteadofcastingblame,andfocusonbalanced,student-basedbudgeting.

Centralstaffing Recentdeparturesofkeypersonnel(e.g.,superintendent,headofinstruction,chiefofHR)providethedistrictwithauniqueopportunitytoaccelerateprogress,whichhighlightstheimportanceofelectingthe

bestpossibleTrusteesinthiscriticaltimeforDallasISDsfuture.

CandidateName BernadetteNutall DamarcusOfford

Profession ProgramOrganizer Unemployed

Status Incumbent Challenger

SurveyCompleted? Yes No

InterviewCompleted? Yes No

KeyAdditionalInfo Votingrecord None

Experience A F

Awareness A -

Perspective A -

Urgency A -

CandidateScore AVeryStrong FVeryWeak



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CandidateScorecard(D9)


WhatvaluabletraitswouldthecandidatesbringtotheDISDBoardofTrustees?

TraitBernadetteNutall DamarcusOfford

Description Score Description ScoreExperience ServedasaDISDcommunityliaisonforeight

years,providingfirst-handexperienceofcommunitysperspective.

Co-foundedasummerenrichmentprogramthathaseducatedhundredsofstudents.

SponsoredandpassedDISDboardspolicyshifttoperformancebasedstaffing(2011).

Sponsoredandpassedthestrongestanti-bullyingpolicyinthestateofTexas.

A HasinsightfrombeingarecentDISDgraduateandstudentleader.

IstheonlycandidatethatrefusedtorespondtoDKFsurvey(fiverequests).

IstheonlycandidatethatrefusedtointerviewwithDKFmembers(fiverequests).

Lacksrelatedprofessional/careerexperience.

F

Awareness TrusteeNutallsexperienceasaDISDparent,communityliaisonandeducationalcoordinatoranchorherawarenessaboutthegravityofDISDschallenges.

Nutallsabilitytosponsorandpassstudent-basedpolicyconfirmsthatsheunderstandstheresponsibilitiesofherrole.

A F

Perspective Stoodagainstintensepersonalcriticism,includingprotestersatherhome,whenshe

supportedtheconsolidationofcampusesinresponsetounderutilizationconcernsandseverebudgetcuts.

A F

Urgency Hassponsoredandpassedseveralsignificantpoliciesduringthelastthreeyears.

Statedcleargoalsforcontinuedpolicy-progressshouldshebere-elected.

A F

Total TrusteeNutallscommunityfocusandleadershipontheDISDschoolboardhaveresultedinundeniablecontributionstoDISDsprogress.

A Mr.Offordlacksgovernanceexperience,andhisunwillingnesstodiscussexperienceandopinionsraisessignificantconcernsabouthis

abilitytopositivelyaffecttheboard.

F



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CandidateRubric(D9)


Whatqualitiesdefineschoolboardcandidates?

Trait DescriptionofScoringStrong(A/B) Moderate(C) Weak(D/F)

Experience

Demonstratedhistoryofproblemsolvingsuccessesingovernance.

Someprevioussuccessesthatdemonstraterelatedproblem-solvingskills.

Lackstangiblesuccessesinsimilarenvironments.

Awareness FullyappreciatespolicysettingroleoftheBoardandisclearlyanchoredbyanawarenessofDallasISDschallenges.

GenerallyappreciatesdangersofmicromanagingandismotivatedbyDallasISDschallenges.

Lackspolicy-basedgoals,willlikelymicromanagestaffand/ordoesnotappreciateDallasISDschallenges.

Perspective Clearlyvaluesstudentachievement

aboveallcompetinginterestsandiscommittedtoprioritizingaccordingly.

Appreciatesneedtoimprove

studentachievement,buthasnotcommittedtodata-drivendecision-making.

Failstoappreciateurgencyofneed

toimprovestudentachievementandreliesonunsupportedand/oranecdotalevidenceindecision-making

Urgency Aggressiveaboutadvocatingfortangibleimprovements.

Motivatedtochangestatusquobutlackstangibleactionplanand/orlikelywillbeslowedbypoliticsornegativeattention.

Lackstangibleactionplanand/orpromotesstatusquothroughactionorinaction.



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CandidatePositions(D9)


OverviewofCandidatePositionResearch

TwoofDKFsprimarygoalsare(1)trackandhighlightpositionsofDallasISDTrusteesandcandidatesand(2)distillthosepositionsintoactionableinformationforparentsandcitizens.DKFexpectsthatmakingsenseoutofajargon-filled,emotionalandoftendivisivesubjectwillincreaseawarenessandengagementandpositivelyaffectDallaspublicschoolstudents.

SummaryofFindingsfromCandidateObservations

SummaryofCandidateObservations

Score Scale Nutall Offord

A VeryStrong 12 1

B Strong 1 0

C Moderate 0 0

D Weak 0 0

F VeryWeak 1 3

TotalScore A F



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Candidate DKFScore

BernadetteNutall A(VeryStrong)

Position DescriptionDKF

Score

1 NutallhasextensiveexperiencecoordinatingDISDconstituencies.

NutallwasacommunityliaisonatDallasISDfrom1995to2003.Herexperiencedealingwithinternalandexternalconstituencies(includingabout100volunteersfrommanydifferentorganizations)aroundstudentachievementisvaluable.

A

2 Nutallhasalonghistoryofacademicenrichmentinthecommunity.

Nutallco-foundedacomprehensiveacademicenrichmentsummerlearningprogramforstudentsinkindergartenthrougheighthgradein1999,whichprovidessummereducationalprogramsformorethan250studentsinmath,science,artandreading.

A

3 NutallappreciatesthechallengesfacingDISDstudentsandstrivestoprovidewell-roundeddevelopment.

Surveyresponse:Recognizingthateducationisnotjustreceivedintheclassroom,Ihaveandwillcontinuetoadvocateeffectivesupplementalprogrammingthathelpsengagestudentsinandoutoftheclassroom.Theyfacedecliningneighborhoods,frayedfamilystructuresandinadequateorinsufficientrolemodelstohelpinstillasenseofpurposeintheirlives.Iactivelyworkwithareanon-profitsandcommunitygroupstoprovideaplatformofsupporttoassistthedevelopmentofchildrenascitizensandasstudentsaswell.Iamanadvocateofnotonlycommunitydevelopmentwithinourcity,butalsoisasupporteroflifedevelopmentforouryouth.

A

4 Nutallsupportscreativestudent-focusedsolutions. NutallorganizedtheNationalTakeOurDaughterstoWork:AnEducationalMentoringProgramforMinorityYoungWomeninDISD.NutallalsodevelopedinnovativeDISDprogrammingsuchasRunningforSuccess,E-Mentoringaswellasvariouseducationalworkshops.

A

5 Nutallisfocusedoncollege-readiness. Nutallhashelpedhighschoolseniorsobtainscholarshipsfromvarioussourcesandcollaboratedwithcounselorsonthecoordinationofcollegerecruiters,studentrecruitmentandfinancialaidworkshopsforstudentsandparents.

A

6 NutallispersonallyinvestedinDISD. NutallisaDISDparentandoftenframespolicyissuesintermsofherperspectiveasaparent.

A



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Candidate DKFScore



Score

7 Nutallsupportsperformance-basedstaffingdecisions.

Nutallsponsoredanamendmenttopolicythatbasesstafflayoffsonperformanceinsteadofseniority(3/24/11).Nutallsupportednon-renewingteachercontractsonthebasisoflowperformance(8/25/11).Nutallsupportedincludingperformanceastheprimarycriteriaformovingteachersoutoftheclassroomandintothere-assignmentpool(9/22/11).

A

8 Nutallsupportedforcedplacementofcampusstaff.

Nutallopposedbanningforcedplacement(6/23/11)ofstaffonDISDcampuses.DKFsupportsstaffingflexibility.

F

9 NutallbelievesthatDISDsleadersareaccountableforstudentperformance(orlackof).

Surveyresponse:ThefailureofthedistricttogenerateanadequateandreadystudentpopulationisaresponsibilityofDISDandtheboardoftrustees.

A

10 Nutallisfocusedongenuinestudentachievement.

Survey responses: I view success from a districtperspective not onlyby thenumbersof thosewhograduate,butbythequalityoftheeducationthathe/shereceives. This is reflected and measured by their job readiness and postsecondarypreparedness.Obviously,whatwehave inplacenowis notworking.New andinnovativestrategiesmustbedevelopedandimplemented toaddressthisissue. Thefinishline forDISD isnotwherethestudentwalksacrossthe

stage to receive their diploma,rather it'swhere students receivevalidation oftheir educational accomplishments through gainful employment and postsecondaryeducationsuccessrates.

A

11 Nutallhastheresolvetomakedifficult,unpopulardecisions.

Nutallvotedforacontroversialschoolclosingprogram,andexplainedherpositiontotheDallasMorningNews:Idlingaschoolisneverthepreferredcourseofaction.However,IbelieveabasictenetofthecivilrightsstrugglewasaccesstoaqualityeducationforAfrican-Americanchildrenandnotaparticularfacility.Nutallacknowledgedthathervotewouldbecontroversialandwouldlikelyresultinpersonalattacks.Nutallsvoteledtopersonalverbalattacksandsixpeopleprotestingherhome.

A



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Candidate DKFScore



Score

12 Nutallisfocusedonprovidingasafeenvironmentforstudents.

NutallrespondedtothreeDISDstudentsuicidesbysponsoringthemostrigorousanti-bullyingpolicyintheStateofTexasthatwasunanimouslyapprovedbytheBoard(11/18/11).

A

13 Nutallsupportsstudent-basedbudgeting.

Nutallspolicyagenda,ifre-elected,includesagoalofprioritizingallDISDexpendituresaroundtheirdirectaffectsonstudents.

A

14 Nutallsupportsathoughtfulintegrationofcurriculumandtechnology.

Nutallspolicyagenda,ifre-elected,includesagoalofrevampingDISDstechnologyproblemsbyensuringthattechnologycomplements(ratherthandrives)curriculum.

B



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Candidate DKFScore

DamarcusOfford F(VeryWeak)


Score

1 OffordisarecentDISDgraduate. OffordsrecentexperienceasaDISDstudentprovidesuniqueperspective. A

2 Offordrefusestodiscusshiscandidacy,policypositions,etc.

DKFcontactedOffordnumeroustimesrequestingresponsestosurveyquestionsand/oraninterview.Heagreedtoreturnthesurvey,butinspiteoffivecontactsfromDKF,neverfolloweduponhiscommitmenttopromoteanopendialogueabouthisability(orinability)tocontributetoDISDsprogress.Regardlessofindividualperspectives,DKFbelievesallDallasparentsandcitizensdeservetoknowwhatcandidatesstandfor.DKFbelievesthatOffordsrefusaltoopenlydiscusshiscandidacyisalarmingandgivesallvotersreasonsforconcern.

F

3 Offordlackscareerand/orprofessionalexperience.

TheDallasMorningNewsrecentlyreportedthatOffordis20yearsold,wasattendingNavarroCollegeandwasintendingtotransfertoMountainViewCollege.OffordslackofexperienceisalarminggivenDISDssizeandcomplexity($1.5Bbudget,20k+staffmembers,150kstudents).

F

4 OffordlacksperspectiveabouttheroleofTrusteeresponsibilities.

OffordhasreceivedattentionforthreateningTrusteesattheJanuary2012Boardmeeting,butgiventhathiscommentswerenotexplicitlythreatening,DKFismoreconcernedwithOffordswillingness(orlackof)toadvocatefordistrictwide

progress.Inhispublicresponse(Observer3/22/12),Offordexplainshispositiononschoolconsolidationsbychallengingtheincumbentwith,Whovotestoclosedown5schoolsintheirowndistrict?Yethehasnotpubliclyprovidedanalternativesolutiontotheproblematicrealityofastate-drivenbudgetshortfall.Severalpressreportsindicatedthatschoolshadtobeclosed(cite1,cite2)),andDKFseesOffordscommentsaspromotingpolarizingcriticismwithoutapromotingsolutions.

F



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CandidateSurveys(D9)


BurnadetteNutallDallasKidsFirstCandidateSurvey



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Candidate Survey

May 12, 2012 Election

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please complete, scan and return the following survey to [email protected]. On behalf of Dallas citizens, the members of Dallas Kids First

thank you in advance for your thoughtful responses and for your interest in serving as DISD Trustee. Your response will be posted at

www.dallaskidsfirst.org.

Candidate Name Candidate Signature District Represented

Bernadette Nutall District 9

Section 1: Brief Personal Profile (please keep responses to no more than two sentences)

What personal experience most prepares you for the service as a DISD Trustee?

I previously worked eight years as a Community Liaison with DISD as well as 13 years as Executive Director of Circle of Support, Inc. In these

capacities I have developed innovative curriculum, facilitated community and business involvement in schools, worked with budgets and financial

forecasting, kept abreast of trends in public education throughout the country and worked on practical solutions to a myriad of problems associated

with public education.

Why do you want to be elected as a DISD Trustee?

The future of our children is my focus, passion and personal ministry and I am committed to the community as such. I am running to continue the

efforts to provide our children with the best education possible in order to prepare them to be successful and responsible citizens of Dallas.

Im vested in our district. Education has always been an important part of my life. I know we still have a lot of work to do, and I want to continue on

to finish that work.



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What are the three biggest challenges facing DISD?

The reduced budget environment. In this current environment it important that we ensure each dollar is impactful towards student achievement.

Finding an effective superintendent. Key qualities we need to focus on are excellent communication skills and an appreciation for collaboration. We

need someone who will take the time to meet with principals and teachers, who genuinely listens to people and who is not fearful of the problems

that lie before us. Thats perhaps the single most critical qualitythe ability to recognize and acknowledge a problem. We need a hands-on problem

solver.

Personnel-Every classroom, every school, needs effective teachers and principals. Our students deserve nothing but the best. And when you look at it

from a financial viewpoint, you have to keep in mind that 85 percent of our budget is dedicated to personnelwe owe it to our taxpayers to recruit

and retain high quality people at every level of the organization.

What specifically will you do to improve the educational experiences of DISD students?

Success is when students are academically prepared to compete in this global economy. That means writing, doing arithmetic and thinking critically.

If we can prepare them early on with those crucial skills, our students will be prepared to successfully enter, graduate from college and enter into the

workforce. Success should not be defined by whether our students simply graduate. Success should be defined by our students graduating with skillsnecessary to succeed at the next stage of their life, whether it is post secondary education or the workforce. We should aspire to turn out a quality

productnot just a particularly quantity of product.

Having recognized the significant damage to students by a phenomenon called 'summer learning loss', I started a non-profit, Circle of Support, Inc.,

in 1999, that provides a full-day eight week, academic enrichment program that utilizes certified master teachers that work with students in the areas

of science, math and reading as well as provides enrichment activities. The program is free to those students that reside in the South Dallas

community. Last year, approximately 302 students attended daily. I fundraise approximately $350k yearly for the program, which came exclusive

from private funding sources.



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Section 3: Topical Questions

The average SAT test taker from DISD scores in the bottom 25% of all U.S. test takers. Is this failure to generate college and/or career-

ready graduates the responsibility of DISD and the Board of Trustees? Please explain.

The failure of the district to generate an adequate and ready student population is a responsibility of DISD and the board of trustees. I view successfrom a district perspective not only by the numbers of those who graduate, but by the quality of the education that he/she receives. This is reflected

and measured by their job readiness and post secondary preparedness. Obviously, what we have in place now is not working. New and innovativestrategies must be developed and implemented to address this issue. The community will also need to be involved to better support the efforts of thedistrict and those teachers in the classroom. DISD must move from being just a provider of education, but an active advocate of education. Thefinish line for DISD is not where the student walks across the stage to receive their diploma, rather it's where students receive validation of theireducational accomplishments through gainful employment and post secondary education success rates.

A DISD teacher recently told a Trustee (via email): We get dumped on by administration each day, cursed out by students, yelled at by

parents, receive very little respect from the community, work long hours, and receive meager pay. If elected what will you do to support

teachers, boost morale within the district and incorporate staff feedback into policy decisions?

Teachers, like any other person, require not only words of encouragement, but practical support as well. As DISD Trustee District 9, it has alwaysbeen my mission to provide the teachers in the classroom with the necessary resources to accomplish their difficult jobs. Recognizing that education

is not just received in the classroom, I have and will continue to advocate effective supplemental programming that helps engage students in and outof the classroom. Unfortunately, one of the major difficulties of being an urban school district is that our children are subjected to the ills anddifficulties that are associated with urban America today. They face declining neighborhoods, frayed family structures and inadequate or insufficientrole models to help instill a sense of purpose in their lives. I actively work with area non profits and community groups to provide a platform ofsupport to assist the development of children as citizens and as students as well. I am an advocate of not only community development within ourcity, but also is a supporter of life development for our youth.

It is my hope that by helping students overcome the difficulties that they face outside of the classroom, they can be more engaged within theclassroom. An engaged student is what every teacher wants. By non-traditional support as I have mentioned above, I hope to raise not only the

morale of teachers, but their hope for having fulfilling careers as well.

If you were outvoted on a contentious school board issue and were asked by a reporter to comment on the vote, how would you respond? If

the reporter pointed out that a fellow Trustee called you how would you respond?

I will share with them why I voted the way I did, and that I understand how to agree and respect my colleagues even when we disagree. As to the

second point, I dont respond to personal attacks but will be happy to debate, deliberate and discuss and decisions that would help the lives of

children. T he children in our community are watching and I will continue to stay focused on addressing their needs through thoughtful discussion.

They are our constituents and our future."



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CandidateSurveys(D9)


DamarcusOffordDallasKidsFirstCandidateSurvey

Note: Offord was contacted by Dallas Kids First five times viaemail,phoneandtextmessage.Heindicatedthathewouldreturn

DKFssurvey,butfailedtodoso.Offordistheonly2012candidatetorefuse aDKF survey,which is especially concerning givenhislackofexperienceandunknownpolicypositions.


Dallas Kids First d9 Disd Electionpacket2012(1)

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