Lord Mayor Tom Leppert, often seen as the city's education mayor, recently has explored taking over problem-plagued Dallas ISD.
Leppert has talked to at least one state senator and a prominent business leader about assuming such a role. A change of this magnitude has in other places stripped school boards of their power, disbanding some, and given mayors control over hiring the school district superintendent – one of a school board's major functions.
The idea comes during a Dallas ISD financial crisis that resulted in the layoffs of more than 500 employees, most of them teachers. Trustees also have come under fire for canceling the May school board elections and extending their terms for another year during a time of turmoil.
School board and City Council members, along with the city's top manager, said Saturday the possibility was news to them. Some blasted the idea as unrealistic and bizarre, while others wanted to hear more.
The mayor's chief of staff, Chris Heinbaugh, would not comment Friday but did not confirm or deny that the mayor had pursued the idea.
"Our children's education is too important to leave any ideas off of the table," Heinbaugh said in a written statement. "And we will continue exploring all the possibilities to make sure the children of Dallas are a success."
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