It won’t be easy for anyone to fill the shoes of departing Dallas ISD trustee Justin Henry, who demonstrated early on that he had wisdom beyond his years and who governed steadily in the interest of students throughout the city.
Of the four candidates standing for the job, insurance broker Ed Turner is the best choice for residents of this district covering the broad center of southern Dallas.Turner, 43, has a history of involvement in DISD, with volunteer service at both Rufus C. Burleson Elementary and Paul L. Dunbar Learning Center.Turner’s focus on the importance of DISD’s Accelerated Campus Excellence, or ACE, program indicates that he understands the reforms that have helped lead the district forward.
But we like Boulanger-Chatman’s thoughtful approach to many issues. He’s also just exceptionally bright and cares deeply about students in the district. Between the two, however, Turner is more prepared and is more aligned with the reforms that are helping turn the tide for DISD.Also running are LaKashia Wallace, a longtime community organizer in southern Dallas, and Oralia Alonso, who works as a parent instructor/liaison at Ann Richards STEAM Academy. While both Wallace, 55, and Alonso, 47, have hearts for students, neither struck us as having the depth Turner and Boulanger-Chatman brought to the issues.