SCHOOL BOARD RESCINDS VOTE
Trustees negate last month's out-of-district transfer policy
By Lori Mellinger editor@bullardnews.com

It was standing room only at Monday's Bullard School Board when trustee Paul Stone delivered a speech in open forum.

"On April 21, the board voted five to two to accept outof district transfer students," Stone said. "About two or three days later, board members received an e-mail from Darren Davis outlining his reasons for opposing the decision.

Stone said it was evident Davis took his time, did research and delivered a wellwritten e-mail.

"This caused me to reconsider my stance," Stone said.

Davis, one of the group of volunteers who was instrumental in getting out the vote to pass the recent bond issue, was vehemently opposed to the decision.

"No one likes to make mistakes, " Stone said. "It would be difficult to a draw fair and sound policy for this decision."

Stone then quoted Abraham Lincoln as a parallel.

"Lincoln said, `I walk slowly, but I never walk backward. ' But today I stand before you and walk backward.

"I believe this policy should not go forward."

Stone's speech met with resounding applause, and he turned over the podium to Davis.

"The first thing I need you to know is that I am one of the board's biggest fans and one of the district's biggest fans," Davis said.

He told Stone "it's never been about who's right or wrong - we're beyond that."

Davis also directed a challenge to those who opposed the measure who were in attendance.

"I challenge myself and everyone else here to get involved in everything that's going on in the district - both good and bad," he said. "There is special stuff going on at Bullard schools and we need to keep the momentum rolling."

The board took another vote with Sam Smith making a motion to rescind the decision on taking out-of-district students, with Stone seconding the motion.

It passed unanimously.

At last month's meeting, in a vote of 5-2, with trustees Smith and Doug Dotson opposing the measure, the motion passed opening the doors for students who don't live in the district to attend school in Bullard on a tuition-based basis.

Smith said since that time, he's received several calls and e-mails - almost all opposing the vote.

Stone, who asked the item be placed on last month's agenda, previously said this could open up the doors for highachieving students living out of the district and enhance the climate of Bullard schools.

"While our primary mission will always be to educate the children who reside in the district, this is very attractive to parents of some high-achieving students who don't live here," Stone said in a telephone interview following the board meeting.

And while during the discussion, BISD Superintendent Jim Wright and trustees agreed everyone is also eyeing population.

"Bullard is going to grow and it's going to peak," Wright said.

Smith, however, never saw this as a long-term idea.

"Once elementary and intermediate population begins to move upward, I'm sure we'll revisit the decision," Smith said at the April meeting.

The school board meets at 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month at the district administrative office, 1426 S. Houston St.

The public is welcome to attend.