Dallas Public Schools: A Few More Questions for District 1 Candidate Kyle Renard

Photo: Kyle Renard for School Board, DISD 1

Kyle Renard, who is running against Edwin Flores for Dallas ISD Board of Trustees, District 1, wasn’t having a really good day yesterday. Called out by the Dallas Morning News, she then got a few questions from me after I uncovered a few more things while doing my rundown of candidate endorsements last week. In short, I noticed something when reviewing her questionnaire with the Dallas Morning News that stuck in my noggin, but being on deadline, I made a note to figure out why later. And Tuesday was later. First, let me point you to her response to the question, “How do you envision charter schools working within boundaries of DISD?” Renard responded, “We do not need outside charter schools within our system, as we already have all the tools we need for innovation to move our students into 21st century learning. Dallas ISD has the resources and the capability to be the preferred choice for all children and can be the model other schools attempt to emulate. That is my goal and my mission.”

Kyle Renard’s name was listed as a board member and supporter as recently as Tuesday afternoon, but was removed early Tuesday night.

Why did this jump out at me? It jumped out at me because as recently as Tuesday, Kyle Renard was listed as a supporter and board member of a potential charter school – the School for Entrepreneurship in the Arts and Sciences. So I asked Renard about it, via email. I asked the following questions:

• Is your position in the Dallas Morning News questionnaire in conflict with your position as a board member of the School for Entrepreneurship in the Arts and Technology?
• I noticed your bio was removed from the school website as well. Was this an attempt to deceive, or a sea change in your position regarding charter schools?
• Also, why was this post not listed in your affiliations on the questionnaire?

Renard responded with this statement:

“I resigned from the board of the School of Entrepreneurship in the Arts and Technology on October 31, 2013. I asked to be removed from the website at that time. If I am still listed somewhere on the site as a board member, that is an error.

I have asked them multiple times to remove me from the website, and I thought that they had done so.  I am sorry if they have not and that this is still causing confusion.

There is no attempt on my part to deceive anyone.  It was not listed on my affiliations as it is no longer active.  This was a concept for an in-district, open-enrollment charter school under Senate Bill 2 from the last legislature.  As far as I know, it has not gained any traction and I’m not sure if the board is still active.

I hope this clarifies the issue.”