Preface

Oversight Petition on Dallas ISD Governance

A people-first mindset places service over self. True educators understand that leadership is not measured by authority or recognition but by the willingness to serve for the greater good. Education, at its best, is a collective act of stewardship, the care of others before the care of one’s own status. But like every profession, education isn’t perfect. There are times when people fall short and systems need to improve. And lately, teachers have been taking a public and political beating. They are doing their best to educate children but are often at a disadvantage when defending their conduct or engaging in public discourse, due to real or perceived limits on free speech, fear of retribution, and uncertainty about when open discussion of current events is permitted. Many entered the profession out of love for children and learning but fewer and fewer certified educators are willing to endure it.

Because access to district governance records and evidence usually requires submitting public information requests through Dallas ISD’s Legal Services Department, this petition serves to exercise teachers’ First Amendment right to:

• Inform and invite educators, parents, and citizens to speak out and call for reforms to restore honesty, transparency, due process and accountability.

• Support professional dialogue aimed at strengthening compliance with education and reporting laws.

• Gather factual accounts that shed light on administrative failures.

• Petition state and federal oversight agencies, including education authorities and legislative committees, to exercise public oversight responsibilities and investigate potential failures.

Honesty, transparency, compliance, due process, oversight, and accountability are six simple but essential principles for ethical conduct and fairness.

• Honesty means telling the truth and acting with integrity.

• Transparency means being open and clear so others can understand your actions.

• Compliance means following laws, rules, and standards to uphold integrity and avoid harm.

• Due process ensures fairness by requiring notice, an opportunity to respond, and impartial judgment before rights are affected.

• Oversight means watchful and responsible care.

• Accountability means taking responsibility for your actions, keeping commitments, and accepting the consequences of decisions.

Teachers are doing their best to educate children, but administrative failures are driving more out of the profession at a time when H-1B Visa, uncertified, and untrained adults are increasingly placed in classrooms to fill the gaps. This trajectory is unsustainable, not just for educators but for the future of public education in Texas. The uncertainty surrounding Dallas ISD’s potential multi-million-dollar enrollment losses expected from the 2026–2027 Texas Education Freedom Accounts only deepen the instability. Without decisive leadership and accountability, these compounding risks threaten to erode both the quality and success of Dallas ISD.