Duncanville ISD looking for new superintendent

by Angel Morris of Duncanville TODAY

Duncanville School Board trustees had a new item added to an always growing “to do” list with the unexpected resignation of Superintendent Dr. Kenneth English.

English informed trustees during the March 19 board meeting of his intention to resign, but the resignation wasn't officially announced until March 21.

“A letter was presented to the board during executive meeting,” District Director of Community Relations Tammy Kuykendall said. “Dr. English has offered to be very flexible and stay with the district as long as needed. (He) will stay through the end of the school year and into the summer to assist with a smooth transition.”

The board accepted the resignation at a March 27 called meeting, when it also began discussing a superintendent search.

English has accepted a position with the Choctaw Nation in Durant, Okla.

“I look forward to embarking on a new and challenging endeavor that will afford me the opportunity to work more directly with adult students developing a stronger workforce in the Texas and Oklahoma region,” English said in a statement prepared by the district.

English's position with Duncanville schools earned him $202,669. For that, he left the district in a seemingly better position than when he came.

Under his direction, the district gained academic recognition with the rating of two exemplary and nine recognized schools and an increase in the number of Gold Performance Acknowledgements from the Texas Education Agency.

The district saw an increase in the number of student and program national recognitions, as well.

English is also attributed with the successful implementation of the ninth-grade teaming concept that serves as the foundation for transitioning to smaller learning communities at the high school in the coming school year.

Perhaps most importantly, however, the district has noticed an increase in discipline and control on local campuses.

According to two teachers who wished to remain unidentified, the atmosphere at Duncanville High School had improved drastically since English took the superintendent post in February 2005.

The educators said they believed English backed the staff and focused appropriate attention on discipline in schools.

“We are very saddened to lose such a talented and knowledgeable superintendent,” Board President Dorothy Wolverton said. “Dr. English made a number of strides in moving the district forward. We have appreciated his dedication to our children and taxpayers.”

English spent 31 years in education, 24 of which he served as a superintendent. He joined Duncanville as superintendent Feb. 14, 2005.

“Duncanville ISD has some of the most highly qualified staff and it has been my honor and privilege to serve a district with such a high caliber of personnel,” English said. “District parents, students and community members have much to be proud of and such a number of positive accomplishments to focus our attention toward.”

In other school-related news, the district did not respond to a request for information on an alleged lawsuit involving Duncanville School Board member Louis McElroy.

The Dallas Morning News reported March 14 that McElroy faced harassment charges from a former employee whom he managed at the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce.

McElroy referred calls to chamber spokesperson Jo Trizila, who said the organization prides itself on equal, nondiscriminatory employment. Trizila also told DMN the chamber believes the lawsuit lacks merit.

The former employee accuses McElroy of repeated comments about his race and weight. Both men are African-American.

The complainant was fired one year ago. He said he had received two disciplinary warnings during his employment - one for expressing his concern over what he considered favoritism in the sales leads process, and one for absences after his mother-in-law went into a diabetic coma in 2004.

He initially filed the harassment complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in May, who dismissed the case with no finding. The EEOC informed him of his right to file a lawsuit, however, DMN said.

Election update:

After throwing his hat into the race for school board March 7, resident Steve Martin withdrew his name from candidacy March 19.

After speaking with another candidate for Place 3, Martin said he discovered that they were very much “on the same page” and shared the same goals for the district. At that point, he said he decided to direct his attention to helping that candidate win the seat.

Places 1, 2 and 3 are up for election in the May 12 race.

Tom Kennedy filed Feb. 9 to seek a second term in Place 1. He is unopposed.

Place 2 has been vacant since December 2006, when Trustee Joe Gray resigned due to the relocation of his family to Midlothian.

Cynthia Werner filed March 2 and Leslie Ballew filed March 8 to vie for Place 2.

Place 3 incumbent John Johansen did not seek reelection. Homer Fincannon filed March 9 and Marlies Peregory filed March 12 to vie for Place 3.

All residents may vote for all board places.

Candidates are allowed to submit one article and photo regarding themselves and their candidacy to Duncanville Today, no later than noon April 30, for the May 3 issue. Letters to the editor regarding candidates must also be submitted by that deadline. No election-related material is printed the week of elections.

Anyone not currently registered to vote has until April 12 to register for the May election.