Duncanville ISD extends superintendent’s contract

by Brian Allen of Best Southwest Citizen

The board of trustees voted to extend Dr. Alfred Ray's contract by two years, taking him through June 30, 2012.

As the struggles in Lancaster, Dallas and numerous other school districts indicate, finding a superintendent that can steer a district through tough financial times is a necessity. Duncanville ISD trustees believe they have found such a person in Dr. Alfred Ray. At a special meeting Dec. 1, they cast a unanimous vote to extend Ray’s contract by two years, taking him through June 30, 2012.

“Under his leadership we have achieved 11 combined Exemplary and Recognized schools,” Board President Dorothy Wolverton said. “The contract extension will allow Dr. Ray to continue lead the district during a critical budgetary time, ensuring stability and continuity.”

Ray will have to do that without the benefit of taxpayer help trustees asked for during a recent special election. On Oct. 7 voters in Duncanville and Cedar Hill said no to tax increases that would have taken the districts to the maximum $1.17 per $100 allowed by the state.