DALLAS – School administrators are planning a special meeting with parents at the Dallas Environmental Science Academy (DESA).
The goal is to discuss the potential relocation of DESA and an overview of the West Dallas Facilities Project.
Parents from the popular magnet middle school began sending email blasts after hearing about the possibility of relocating DESA students to campuses like the old Pinkston High School or Edison Middle School. The potential transition is among options Dallas ISD staff confirms has been a topic of preliminary discussions as the school district searches for a location to build a new Pinkston High School in West Dallas.
“We are looking at the possibility of using the site where Carver and DESA are," Tim Strucely, executive director of construction services for Dallas ISD says. "However, no decisions have been made. It’s all been conceptual. We’re looking at feasibility.”
Parents say the discussions of relocation alone are concerning. Even though none of the transition plans for the West Dallas campuses are set in stone. Dallas ISD staff says the discussions are all preliminary.
Strucely says in addition to talks of using the land where DESA and Carver now stand as a possible site to build a new Pinkston High, the district is also looking at land not owned by Dallas ISD.
Administrators say normally parents are brought into the conversations when the school district is prepared to start having community meetings, as it gets closer to the time of the project. Some parents say waiting that long is too late.
“They’re just focusing on, 'OK, we want to do this and let the parents know later,' after they make their decision,” Castillo said.
A special parents meeting to discuss the potential relocation is planned for 6 p.m. Thursday in the school’s auditorium.