DALLAS - From golf to gymnastics to band, dozens of Dallas Independent School District programs are in jeopardy.
Even the touted magnet school programs that are a draw for some of the most talented students are facing the chopping block
Amber Pickens, 18, is one of only 12 students in the nation and the only student in Texas to be accepted to the Juilliard School in New York. Juilliard is one of the most prestigious performing arts schools in the world.
The special acceptance may be an opportunity lost for some in the years to come.
The moves Pickens learned in the dance cluster at the Booker T. Washington High School for Performing and Visual Arts helped her in her move this fall to study at the Juilliard School.
“It was just like a dream come true because every day I had been praying for it and fasting, and finally just it came," she said.
But, her high school faces a nightmare because of state budget cuts. Dallas ISD forecasts the district could lose $86 to $150 million next year. That means drastic cuts at specialized schools, including a drop of teachers at Booker T. Washington that would go from 59 to 29.
The Rangel All Girls High School would drop from 38 teachers to 25. Gilliam Collegiate Academy would lose six teachers, going from 19 to 13. Yvonne Ewell Townview Magnet would drop from 90 to 25. Lastly, Middle College would go from 14 to 8.
Pickens said she does not believe she would be heading to Juilliard if there were fewer teachers and bigger classes.
“They all bring something completely different, and it's like if they're not here then how am I going to be able to learn and expand knowledge on my art?” she said.
Chanting “We are the future; save our schools," Booker T. Washington students protested Thursday the teacher cuts at the school board.
But, sympathetic leaders admit there are no easy answers with the state cutting billions.
“This is a new day," said Superintendent Michael Hinojosa. "And, if we think we are going to solve problems like we did in the past, it's not going to happen.”
So, as Pickens expresses her art form, she expresses her opposition as well.
“If we don't have creativity then we don't have anything," she said.
With budget cuts coming, the district listed fine arts as one of its priorities. But, some viewing specialized schools like the fine arts high school as frills, protecting their funding will be very hard.
