DALLAS — Dallas Independent School District board president Eric Cowan says he plans to put the future of South Oak Cliff High — including the possibility of building a a new campus — on the agenda in April.
Cowan said he made the decision after he and fellow board members Miguel Solis and Lew Blackburn met with members of the South Oak Cliff High Alumni Association and and students.
The Dallas ISD administration allocated $12 million in repairs and upgrades to South Oak Cliff High as part of the $1.6 billion bond passed by voters in September.
The amount increased to $25 million for the revised first phase of bond projects in February.
Last month, Blackburn said he was working to get that amount increased to $40 million. But students and members of the community have said that is not enough.
Reginald Hill is a 1983 graduate of SOC and a member of the alumni board. He said a new high school is integral in helping improve how the community feels about the school, and the city's commitment to the southern sector in Dallas.
"It would give us hope," Hill said. "More than anything in the world, it would give us hope; it will give students hope that are coming here."
Senior David Johnson was at the meeting as well. Johnson organized a student-led walkout last December over what many students have called problems with heating and cooling and concerns with mold. He said Monday he feels the Board of Trustees is finally hearing their concerns.
"I'm very happy about it," Johnson said. "That's the whole purpose of what we did was for a new South Oak Cliff."
Cowan said the board will have a chance to discuss it at its April 14 briefing.
"I think they should be encouraged," Cowan said. "I hope they are encouraged."
Trustee Miguel Solis attended the meeting and said the April meeting will be the first time the board has convened as a full body on the matter.
"I believe the board will to figure out a solution for the South Oak Cliff community," Solis said. "I stand in support of the community's efforts, and will actively work with others to search for a solution."
Hill said the SOC community will be ready.
"I think our representation heard our voice," he said. "They're doing some of the things we're asking them to do, and we actually believe they'll do it this time."
