If Lakewood Schools Splinter From DISD, How Will That Affect Property Values?
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Thanks to a Facebook page started by former State Rep. Allen Vaught, meetings with Dallas ISD trustee Mike Morath, and a growing groundswell of support, talk is picking up about Woodrow Wilson High School and it’s feeder campuses splintering from Dallas ISD to form their own school district.
It’s an interesting idea, one that would either create a sort of charter school district inside DISD, or secede from the district forever, depending on whom you’re asking. The complaints are as diverse as the proposed solution, but many families inside Lakewood are just fed up with the slow-moving bureaucracy at 3700 Ross Ave, one that Vaught wants to ditch completely.
Should this actually come to fruition, what would happen to the home values inside the Woodrow attendance boundaries and Lakewood as a whole? And what about homes surrounding the area?
“My personal opinion is that when Lakewood becomes it’s own entity, the children are the ones who will benefit,” said Scott Carlson, a Realtor who specializes in Lakewood real estate and East Dallas. “Absolutely property values in Lakewood will be protected and become stronger.”
Nancy Johnson, also an expert in Lakewood-area real estate and is the listing agent for 10 Nonesuch Road, agrees.
“I think it would have a positive affect,” Johnson said. “Of course many details would need answering but DISD has such a bad rap that I think localizing and separating from all the negativity would hopefully have some of the great affects the Park Cities have enjoyed.”
Of course, Park Cities home values have always held strong, thanks to the solid schools, and recently values have taken a turn upward. But there have been some side-effects. Increased density and over-crowded schools are growing problems for Highland Park ISD. As more people seek to live inside a higher-performing school district, builders tear down single-family homes to build duplexes and four-plexes, increasing the burden on campuses to make room for more children. It’s a double-edged sword, for sure.
And let’s not forget that with higher property values often comes higher taxes.
“As you are aware, Texas does not have a state income tax. Never the less, we make up for that in our property taxes — mostly the school part of the tax,” Carlson said. “It’s a ton of money and therefore brings a lot of problems.”
But would White Rock ISD, or Lakewood ISD, or whatever we’re calling this proposed school district, become financially independent? Or would Lakewood property tax dollars still end up in DISD coffers? It’s something that has to be thought out carefully. If the school district becomes financially independent, and results in skyrocketing property values and property taxes, then the district will likely become targeted for redistribution according to the state’s “Robin Hood” laws.
Still, Carlson feels that the district already has a great amount of autonomy and support from the community.
(Photo: Jenifer McNeil Baker)
“My thoughts are that Lakewood already operates on it’s own. What the parents and community has done for the Lakewood school district is extraordinary. A lot of families are moving to Lakewood primarily for the Lakewood school district,” Carlson said. As for support, there’s already a groundswell of that, thanks to the Lakewood Early Childhood PTA and their fundraising efforts.
“The upcoming Lakewood Home Festival, which is the weekend of the Nov. 8, shows how strong and financially viable Lakewood is,” Carlson said. “This being the oldest home tour in Dallas has set the standard for many other home tours. The focus and vision of the parents combined with their love for their children and community, grounded in the beauty of White Rock Lake and nature, is what has made Lakewood one of the BEST neighborhoods in America.”
And that is definitely catching on.
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You're right Jo, Lakewood already operates on its own because DISD in general is a behemoth example of epic failure. Parents took over a long time ago to ensure their kids had the basics and beyond. SO why should they have to continue to have the specter of doom that is DISD continue to haunt the futures of their children. This has been a long time coming and it's time.
You're right Jo, Lakewood already operates on its own because DISD in general is a behemoth example of epic failure. Parents took over a long time ago to ensure their kids had the basics and beyond. SO why should they have to continue to have the specter of doom that is DISD continue to haunt the futures of their children. This has been a long time coming and it's time.
All DISD schools have major problems. If as said below the "Parents took over a long time ago" Lakewood is in trouble. Schools are run by educators not parents. That is the law. This maybe an attempt at racial segregation like the courts found at Preston Hollow Elementary a few years ago. My kids attended DISD in the 90s with the same teachers that were at Preston Hollow before they "left" Pershing Elementary. At that time the classes were separated by race just like at Preston Hollow. Of course it was all the white kids in one class because their parents could not afford private school and didn't want to associate with minorities. Having spent a lot of time in the Lakewood neighborhoods which are very white I suspect the same is going on here. What about teaching your kids to be more accepting of other races, customs and beliefs? If its not an attempt a segregation then please explain it. DISD has a lot of problems and this is not the answer. I doubt the split will ever happen
David, I really do not think that "teaching your kids to be more accepting of other races, customs and beliefs" is the issue. We live in Preston Hollow and sent our children to private schools. Those schools bent over backwards to bring in minority students who are all still friends to this day, and to teach and respect other customs and beliefs. Case in point: my child started a club called "Agnostically Speaking" at Hockaday as a counter to the other religious clubs — she noted that Agnostics were not represented. Mine are grown, educated and married, but I say the same thing today I said then: children relate to each other based on their interests. And yes, sometimes, backgrounds. In our case, the focus was a clear track to college and doing everything possible to get there: study, participate in sports, be creative, intellectual, lead and learn. I have to be honest, too, we wanted our kids so occupied and busy they couldn't possibly have time to get into trouble. And that is what I am seeing bubbling up in Lakewood. They want to group together a college-prep atmosphere for their children, with an emphasis on education and achievement. What the hell is wrong with that? They sure are paying enough taxes! I was very much against busing, I think it's one major thing that RUINED Dallas public schools. Why? Because it mixed children of different interests together and equalized to mediocrity. I myself always enjoy being in an atmosphere where I am challenged, that's what makes me grow, and I wanted the same for my children. It is NOT about race, it is about ACHIEVEMENT. "Take over the schools" means, I think, take an interest in and oversee not literally "run it". Of course the educators do that, they teach. But sometimes as a parent even in a pricey private school you have to "take over." I recall one poor biology teacher at Hockaday where we parents had to "take over" — i.e. call the principal's attention to the fact that very little learning was going on because he was an attractive young man fresh from college and the girls were teasing the hec out of him. There was an intervention. Part of the problem with DISD is there are not enough parents who do care about their children, who think you shoo them off to school to be some big time babysitter.
DISD has a problem in that it has to educate all those children who's parents are basically infants themselves. If you know me, you know I think people ought to have to have a license to parent. Its a job, a responsibility, not a "whoops". There are the addicts who cannot get up and dress their kids and feed them a decent breakfast, and then there are the poor struggling single moms who have no money, no financial support, and no idea how to be a good parent though I'm sure in their hearts they want to. There are the teens in high school who have babies and glorify single parenthood and drop them off in the student nursery — yes, a nursery for the babies of the sophomores. All this because they are taught abstinence, not how to actually PREVENT a pregnancy! Can you imagine the job they have to do? I cannot, and that focus takes away from the needs of kids from middle class families who simply want their kids to achieve the best they can and go to college and graduate school. I see NOTHING wrong with a separation except loss of funds to the District. While you are at it, split up high school into two phases: freshman sophomores in one building, juniors seniors way away. Southlake does this and it works. Keep the focus on achievement and whoever wants to belong to that club regardless of race or religion is welcome! By the way, here is what my daughter is doing: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20131101-good-works-under-40-honors-top-dallas-community-volunteers.ece?nclick_check=1
All DISD schools have major problems. If as said below the "Parents took over a long time ago" Lakewood is in trouble. Schools are run by educators not parents. That is the law. This maybe an attempt at racial segregation like the courts found at Preston Hollow Elementary a few years ago. My kids attended DISD in the 90s with the same teachers that were at Preston Hollow before they "left" Pershing Elementary. At that time the classes were separated by race just like at Preston Hollow. Of course it was all the white kids in one class because their parents could not afford private school and didn't want to associate with minorities. Having spent a lot of time in the Lakewood neighborhoods which are very white I suspect the same is going on here. What about teaching your kids to be more accepting of other races, customs and beliefs? If its not an attempt a segregation then please explain it. DISD has a lot of problems and this is not the answer. I doubt the split will ever happen
David, I really do not think that "teaching your kids to be more accepting of other races, customs and beliefs" is the issue. We live in Preston Hollow and sent our children to private schools. Those schools bent over backwards to bring in minority students who are all still friends to this day, and to teach and respect other customs and beliefs. Case in point: my child started a club called "Agnostically Speaking" at Hockaday as a counter to the other religious clubs — she noted that Agnostics were not represented. Mine are grown, educated and married, but I say the same thing today I said then: children relate to each other based on their interests. And yes, sometimes, backgrounds. In our case, the focus was a clear track to college and doing everything possible to get there: study, participate in sports, be creative, intellectual, lead and learn. I have to be honest, too, we wanted our kids so occupied and busy they couldn't possibly have time to get into trouble. And that is what I am seeing bubbling up in Lakewood. They want to group together a college-prep atmosphere for their children, with an emphasis on education and achievement. What the hell is wrong with that? They sure are paying enough taxes! I was very much against busing, I think it's one major thing that RUINED Dallas public schools. Why? Because it mixed children of different interests together and equalized to mediocrity. I myself always enjoy being in an atmosphere where I am challenged, that's what makes me grow, and I wanted the same for my children. It is NOT about race, it is about ACHIEVEMENT. "Take over the schools" means, I think, take an interest in and oversee not literally "run it". Of course the educators do that, they teach. But sometimes as a parent even in a pricey private school you have to "take over." I recall one poor biology teacher at Hockaday where we parents had to "take over" — i.e. call the principal's attention to the fact that very little learning was going on because he was an attractive young man fresh from college and the girls were teasing the hec out of him. There was an intervention. Part of the problem with DISD is there are not enough parents who do care about their children, who think you shoo them off to school to be some big time babysitter.
DISD has a problem in that it has to educate all those children who's parents are basically infants themselves. If you know me, you know I think people ought to have to have a license to parent. Its a job, a responsibility, not a "whoops". There are the addicts who cannot get up and dress their kids and feed them a decent breakfast, and then there are the poor struggling single moms who have no money, no financial support, and no idea how to be a good parent though I'm sure in their hearts they want to. There are the teens in high school who have babies and glorify single parenthood and drop them off in the student nursery — yes, a nursery for the babies of the sophomores. All this because they are taught abstinence, not how to actually PREVENT a pregnancy! Can you imagine the job they have to do? I cannot, and that focus takes away from the needs of kids from middle class families who simply want their kids to achieve the best they can and go to college and graduate school. I see NOTHING wrong with a separation except loss of funds to the District. While you are at it, split up high school into two phases: freshman sophomores in one building, juniors seniors way away. Southlake does this and it works. Keep the focus on achievement and whoever wants to belong to that club regardless of race or religion is welcome! By the way, here is what my daughter is doing: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20131101-good-works-under-40-honors-top-dallas-community-volunteers.ece?nclick_check=1
Well said Candy. David the parents "take over "the schools by providing much needed funding, volunteer hours, grant applications, tutoring, even lawn mowing! Did you know most art teachers in fact most teachers of any class, provide their own supplies? The point Candy makes about segregation by INTEREST is boldly and beautifully demonstrated WITHIN DISD at schools like the TAG magnet and Booker T. These kids are from every socio-economic background and these schools are the most diverse schools I've ever seen. The students all get along, they are all friends and support one another. WHY? Because they all share common INTERESTS. I home schooled for 5 years, utilizing excellent co op's full of professional teachers that were equally disgusted with public education. The ONLY thing that brought us back into public schooling was the fact these magnet schools are different. That is what gives me hope DISD can turn things around but they have to start looking to systems that work. Irving ISD is a case in point. They have multiple magnet schools that gather students with similar INTERESTS!
It works! Ask any teacher, any student and any involved parent. Public school is no longer working in the best interests of the child so it is no longer working in the best interests of society.
Interests, absolutely!
Well said Candy. David the parents "take over "the schools by providing much needed funding, volunteer hours, grant applications, tutoring, even lawn mowing! Did you know most art teachers in fact most teachers of any class, provide their own supplies? The point Candy makes about segregation by INTEREST is boldly and beautifully demonstrated WITHIN DISD at schools like the TAG magnet and Booker T. These kids are from every socio-economic background and these schools are the most diverse schools I've ever seen. The students all get along, they are all friends and support one another. WHY? Because they all share common INTERESTS. I home schooled for 5 years, utilizing excellent co op's full of professional teachers that were equally disgusted with public education. The ONLY thing that brought us back into public schooling was the fact these magnet schools are different. That is what gives me hope DISD can turn things around but they have to start looking to systems that work. Irving ISD is a case in point. They have multiple magnet schools that gather students with similar INTERESTS!
It works! Ask any teacher, any student and any involved parent. Public school is no longer working in the best interests of the child so it is no longer working in the best interests of society.
Interests, absolutely!
While there is a small part of me that jumps for joy over the prospect of this change…my the rest of me says we need to find a way to bring change to DISD as a whole. I want a great public school for my child, and the child across town. Isn't that the beauty of public education…that no matter your background, you get the same chance to learn as every other child? I understand this is a bit idyllic, but if we forego this basic premise of education, then I think we do a disservice not only to the children in these schools but ultimately to society as a whole.
Oh yes it is, but DISD has been at it for 30 years… and I think that's enough time.
While there is a small part of me that jumps for joy over the prospect of this change…my the rest of me says we need to find a way to bring change to DISD as a whole. I want a great public school for my child, and the child across town. Isn't that the beauty of public education…that no matter your background, you get the same chance to learn as every other child? I understand this is a bit idyllic, but if we forego this basic premise of education, then I think we do a disservice not only to the children in these schools but ultimately to society as a whole.
Oh yes it is, but DISD has been at it for 30 years… and I think that's enough time.
Doesn't San Antonio operate this way? With each high school feeder being its own school district?
Doesn't San Antonio operate this way? With each high school feeder being its own school district?
It is about race. It's legalized segregation. Stuff all the minorities into one area and let them stagnate.
It is about race. It's legalized segregation. Stuff all the minorities into one area and let them stagnate.