Dallas ISD launches 2026-2027 attendance incentives. Courtesy of Dallas ISD News Hub.
This is always a good time to pause and recognize the students, families, teachers, principals, and staff who make our schools thrive every day. I am especially grateful to the District 2 community as I begin a new term serving on the Board of Trustees.
Their hard work, discipline, and perseverance are worth celebrating, and I know they will continue to make Dallas proud.
Even as students and staff begin the summer, the Board of Trustees work continues. One of our most important recent responsibilities was approving the 2026–2027 budget.
This year’s budget includes a $56.4 million investment in employee compensation. That includes a new minimum hourly rate of $17.50, pay increases for teachers, central staff, and campus support staff, and a starting teacher salary of $68,000. These investments matter because strong schools depend on the people who serve our students every day — in classrooms, offices, cafeterias, buses, and campuses across the district.
Thank you to everyone who attended the recent budget community meetings. Your questions, concerns, and priorities help shape the decisions we make as trustees. Community input is an important part of that process.
Over the summer, Dallas ISD offered free learning opportunities for students. These programs help students stay engaged, build skills, and avoid losing academic ground during the school break. Through Summer Breeze, students received academic support along with enrichment activities such as sports, science, and music. Younger students participated in the full-day Summer Cool program, which combines reading, math, and theme-based activities.
Finally, I want to thank our teachers, administrators, and staff for everything they gave to students this year. I hope each of you has time this summer to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends.
Every new school year is a chance to start fresh, embrace opportunity, and unlock the incredible potential within our classrooms. We already have much to celebrate and more to look forward to.
We are entering this school year on solid footing by continuing a legacy of academic progress with ratings from the Texas Education Agency. Dallas ISD earned a B rating for 2026, a remarkable nine-point jump since 2023. Overall, 71% of our schools earned an A or B, showing strong gains in academic achievement, growth, and postsecondary readiness.
Standout District 2 campuses include Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy, George Bannerman Dealey Montessori Academy, Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy, Arthur Kramer Elementary School, and Lakewood Elementary School. Each earned an A rating.
To build on these achievements, every day must count. Through the district’s attendance initiative, Show Up Dallas ISD!, we encourage every student to aim for perfect attendance. Being present every day, especially during the first few weeks, is critical to help build strong connections with peers and teachers while laying the groundwork for a successful year.
To support students from the start of their academic journey, the district rolled out tuition-free, universal prekindergarten for 3- and 4-year-olds, regardless of family income. To further reinforce early learning, a new initiative offers a specialized bridge year between kindergarten and first grade designed to boost early literacy, phonics, and math confidence.
Recognizing that a well-rounded education extends beyond the classroom, I encourage all students to get involved in a campus club, academic team, or extracurricular activity this fall. We are especially excited for Student Activities to roll out mahjong in middle schools.
Finally, parents and guardians, please make sure you have downloaded the Dallas ISD app. It is our central hub for direct and two-way communication in your preferred language, daily cafeteria menus, real-time school news, and more. It is an honor to serve District 2, let’s make the 2026–2027 school year our best one yet and continue a legacy of success.
As always, please reach out to me if you have thoughts, ideas, questions, concerns, or just to say hello!
Best,
Sarah Weinberg
Stay up to date on the news from the district by following us on social media @Dallasisd and @dallasisdEspanol.
