Archives > Southlake Times > News
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Three districts come together to support public schools
By Heather M. Goodwin, hgoodwin@starlocalnews.com
In an effort to get more involvement in public education, three school districts joined together to host a celebration pep rally.
"We really want to encourage people to get involved, to find out what's going on in their district," Carroll ISD Superintendent Dr. David Faltys said.
Carroll, Grapevine-Colleyville and Keller independent school districts hosted the event that drew more than 1,500 taxpayers, parents, students and educators. The rally was held in support of "making education a priority by adequately funding public schools."
Rodriguez said the goal of the pep rally was to get parents and tax payers involved in public education. She said it was a non-partisan attempt to show the community what goes on in public schools.
Texas Senator Wendy Davis, who represents District 10, attended the rally. In addition, an aide to Representative Giovanni Capriglione, who serves House District 98, also attended. Capriglione, a Southlake resident and CISD parent, was in Austin the night of the rally.
"We wanted to illustrate the great things public schools provide children," Rodriguez. "I think the fact that so many people showed up, including local lawmakers, gives us a little bit more credibility that it was not just a neighborhood community meeting."
The Carroll drum line joined drum lines from fellow districts to begin the rally. Carroll Senior High School student Greg Stringfellow led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge. Carroll ISD classmates also took part in a student dramatization with students from other participating districts.
Event speakers included network sports reporter Lewis Johnson. Johnson is a taxpayer and parent in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. Frank Bliss, president and CEO of Southlake Town Square developer Cooper and Stebbins, and Nika Maples, 2007 Texas secondary teacher of the year from Keller ISD also talked about the importance of public education.
"We want people to get involved, even if they don't have children in the school district, because it's their tax dollars," Rodriguez said. "People can attend a school board meeting and come to functions. If you really want to know where money is going, go to the school district's website, pick up a school publication or support your local school district through a fundraiser or event."
Other rallies are already scheduled in surrounding school districts. Mansfield ISD, in conjunction with five other districts, will hold a similar rally at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Mansfield ISD headquarters, 110 W. Debbie Lane. Guest speakers will include Robert Scott, former Texas Commissioner of Education; Dr. David Anthony, CEO of Raise Your Hand Texas and Jonathan Grant-Brown, AVID program alumnus speaker.
"It sounded like Southlake-Keller-Grapevine had a fantastic event. Ours will be a little bit different, but the same type of concept," said Richie Escovedo, media and communications director for Mansfield ISD. "It will be informative and a celebration of what's going in the school district. It will be about getting people excited about public education. School districts can easily slip into an us versus them situation, but it's a great opportunity when we can say that we're all in this together. It's exciting to be able to get together and celebrate. We'd be thrilled with the kind of turnout this event had, and we're hoping with five districts we will be able to generate a great response."
For information visit www.supportTXschools.com.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: News «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
