Letters to the Editor – College transfer credits, Frisco ISD, Fort Worth ISD, Southwest

Re: “Ensure ‘2 plus 2′ path adds up to a 4-year degree — Texas should coordinate transfer of credits from community colleges to universities,” by Lauren Schudde and Huriya Jabbar, Sept. 18 Opinion.
Scholars Lauren Schudde and Huriya Jabbar (and by extension the Opinion department) should be applauded for drawing attention to the important issue of transferability of credits from two- to four-year higher-education institutions. By “avoid[ing] excess credits and credit loss,” we can conserve the resources of our public colleges and universities while providing more students credentials with which they can earn a living wage.
One thing that went unmentioned in the op-ed, however, is the ways in which higher-education leaders here in North Texas are leading the way on this issue. Specifically, the Dallas Transfer Collaborative exemplifies the “planning and coordination across institutions” that Schudde and Jabbar call for in their piece.
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Dallas College, Texas A&M-Commerce, Texas Woman’s University and the University of North Texas at Dallas have recently collaborated to create a centralized “transfer hub” with transparent guidance for students on how credits will transfer between the institutions, as well as the establishment of three “meta-majors” offering clear pathways to a suite of four-year degrees in business, education and health sciences.
The leaders of these institutions deserve enormous credit for their hard work. It’s my hope their collective work can serve as a model for our entire state.
Todd Williams, Dallas
Re: “We Recommend — Voters should support Frisco ISD bond proposals and tax rate increase,” Saturday editorial.
While, in general, I am in agreement in voting for the four propositions being put forth to the voters, I do have reservations.
The increase in the maintenance and operations tax rate may be needed for raises for teachers, but I believe a closer look needs to be taken at Frisco ISD’s administrative staff and structure. The number of administrators making six-figure salaries is way too high in comparison to the teachers’ — the employees who touch the students every day — salaries.
A tennis center is definitely a luxury. There are 12 high schools with at least eight tennis courts per school, as well as tennis courts at all the middle schools. There are plenty of courts available to hold tournaments. Frisco is not exactly a desert for food options either, eliminating the need for concessions at tournaments.
Finally, in Proposition B there is approximately $32 million included for landscape enhancements. Frisco ISD does not take care of the landscape and grass they already have. Spending an additional $32 million on replacing landscapes they will not take care of in the future is a waste of money. Find a way to take care of what you have instead of spending more on replacements.
This is a classic case of using capital dollars to replace problems that were caused by inadequate operational dollars. Just take a look at the landscapes installed at new schools and how they deteriorate in just a few short years due to poor maintenance.
Tim Muench, Frisco
Re: “Board doesn’t get pass — After superintendent’s ouster, members assess own role in struggles,” Friday Metro & Business story.
The failure of the Fort Worth ISD students to thrive and achieve is a failure of the entire Fort Worth community. The resignation of Superintendent Angélica Ramsey is just the beginning of effecting change. Members of the school board should also be submitting their resignations, as poor performance of the students runs deep like a rot and has probably occurred and been tolerated for years.
Superintendents in the 21st century need to be jacks of all trades: budgetary expert, lobbyist with the Texas Legislature, placater of parents, collaborator with PTAs, disciplinarian, role model and someone with the ability to see the future and be seen and have a presence in all facets of a district’s “supply chain of education.”
I said supply chain because an ISD system is planting the seeds for success in kindergarten and 12 years later, they will be harvested when diplomas for graduation are presented. Being the superintendent is a calling with the reward at the end of those 12 long years when the students walk across the stage and become adults.
Jim Sherrard, Plano
I fear that with the proposed changes, Southwest Airlines is going to lose its special character. As a small-business owner, I get that you need to change with the times or you get left behind. But it feels to me like they are in a race to the bottom in how they are going to treat their customers.
Anna B. Drake, Garland
My family attended the July 4 celebration at Fair Park this year. The focus was not on guns. Everyone was friendly, helpful and relaxed. It was a wonderful time with a very diverse group of people.
Cookie Stokes, Dallas
Re: “Reader takes issue with headline,” by Stephen Buckley, Wednesday Public Editor column.
Thank you, Stephen Buckley, for The Dallas Morning News acknowledging that the wording in headlines matters and for the additional “carefully crafting” of headlines. I’ll disagree that headlines “generally draw little to no attention” because the headlines are what I (and probably most people) read first.
I can usually tell if a story is going to rile me by the wording and bias in the headlines. I’ve often sent letters commenting on a biased headline. Thanks again for your newfound concerns.
Donald Jones, Wylie
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